‘Big day for UK seas’ as bottom trawling ban in four protected areas proposed

Campaigners welcome fishing restrictions to help restore habitats including Dogger Bank, but say government must go further

Government proposals to ban destructive bottom trawling fishing in the Dogger Bank, announced on Monday, marked a really big day" for Britain's seas, conservationists said.

Under proposed bylaws put out for consultation by Britain's Marine Management Organisation (MMO), bottom trawling, which involves weighted nets being dragged over the sea bed, would be prohibited in the Dogger Bank special conservation area, alongside three other English marine protected areas (MPAs). There are 40 MPAs in England and 76 in the UK.