Fishing with bottom trawl should be stopped in 37 protected marine areas

The Fisheries Ministry aims to ensure the protection of several sandbanks, reefs, and seabed habitats in several Natura 2000 areas.

The government has previously been criticized for not ensuring the protection of marine nature areas from fishing, but now fishing in 37 protected areas will be halted.

Although it is a significant development and occurs during ongoing negotiations, it is apparent from a decree and not a press release.

- The addition of 37 Natura 2000 areas, for which there is a ban on fishing with bottom-tending equipment, is stated in the hearing letter.

The decree paves the way for banning mussel dredging and fishing with bottom-tending equipment in Natura 2000 areas within 3 nautical miles from the coast.

This will provide space for nature to regain the peace it needs to recover.

This means that more of Denmark's protected marine areas will be exempt from one of the most significant harmful interventions on marine nature. This will benefit fish stocks and marine life on the seabed.

Therefore, fishing with bottom-tending equipment will be stopped in Flensburg Fjord, Vejle Fjord, and Kalø, as decided in the marine plan in 2023.

The decree has been sent for consultation, where organizations have the opportunity to submit comments or objections.

It will take effect from 1st July 2025.

/ritzau/

Warning: This article was translated by a Large Language Model, in case of doubt, you can always visit the original source.