UK to trial ‘highly protected marine areas’ in win for ocean campaigners

Historic' move to ban destructive fishing methods in five habitats welcomed, but conservationists say change must come faster

The UK government has announced plans to increase protection of wildlife and habitats by banning fishing and other damaging activities from a handful of selected marine sites off the coast of England.

More than 97% of British offshore marine protected areas (MPAs), designed to safeguard habitats and biodiversity, are being dredged and bottom trawled, according to data published by the Guardian. They have long been criticised by conservationists as ineffective paper parks".