Open Letter to Commissioner Costas Kadis: Key Insights

Welcome, Net Zero News readers,

In a bold and urgent call to action, a coalition representing hundreds of thousands of EU citizens, scientists, small-scale fishers, and civil society organisations has delivered an open letter to Commissioner Costas Kadis, urging him to take decisive steps towards ending the destructive practice of bottom trawling in Europe’s marine protected areas (MPAs). As we stand at a critical juncture for our oceans and ecosystems, this letter highlights the growing momentum for change, demanding leadership that aligns with scientific consensus and public support.

At the heart of this initiative is a singular demand: the immediate cessation of bottom trawling in Europe’s MPAs. This year has seen unprecedented engagement, with the EU Ocean Pact consultation receiving an overwhelming response. Over 250,000 citizens signed petitions advocating for a ban, while legal complaints and court rulings have underscored the urgent need for conservation. Countries like Sweden and Greece have already taken steps to ban bottom trawling in their MPAs, and Denmark is following suit by extending its protections to 19 per cent of its waters. This growing trend reflects a collective recognition of the ecological and social benefits that come from removing destructive fishing practices.

During a recent session of the PECH Committee, Commissioner Kadis expressed his views, stating: “I will repeat my position regarding banning bottom trawling in MPAs. I am not in favor of one size fits all. What I am saying is that in MPAs we can have management plans, as foreseen in the relevant legislation. The management plans can identify which activities are compatible with what we want to protect. If bottom trawling is compatible, it can continue. If not, it should be stopped. I could not imagine a Natura 2000 area, where the seabed is of high value and vulnerable, having a management plan that would allow bottom trawling.”

This statement acknowledges the need for protection in Natura 2000 sites, which are designed to safeguard valuable and vulnerable seabeds. Yet, troublingly, bottom trawling continues to occur in these designated areas, undermining their very purpose. The Commissioner’s insistence on a case-by-case approach risks perpetuating the status quo, allowing destructive practices to persist under the guise of management plans. This is not just a matter of policy; it directly contradicts the precautionary principles enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty and the EU’s commitment to halt biodiversity loss.

Your insistence that “one size does not fit all” leaves the door wide open for the status quo to continue.

The scientific community has reached a consensus: bottom trawling is inherently damaging to habitats, species, and ecosystems, and its impacts are fundamentally incompatible with the conservation objectives of MPAs. The Habitats Directive does allow for individual assessments regarding the impacts of activities within protected areas, but these assessments must occur before any significant activity can be authorised. The default position should be that bottom trawling in Natura 2000 MPAs is illegal unless proven otherwise through rigorous scientific assessment.

If the Commission maintains its case-by-case stance, it not only undermines its own objectives outlined in the Marine Action Plan but also jeopardises the credibility of the Ocean Pact and any forthcoming initiatives. Citizens and scientists alike are watching closely, and there is a palpable fear that yet another series of hollow policies could erode trust in EU leadership. The critical question remains: will the Commission prioritise the voices of the 73 per cent of EU citizens who support a ban on bottom trawling, or will it yield to the industrial lobby that seeks to maintain the status quo?

If case by case remains the Commission’s position, it not only contradicts its own objective set out in the Marine Action Plan, but also risks the credibility of the Ocean Pact and forthcoming act collapsing before they begin.

Moreover, the case-by-case approach for the 5,000 EU MPAs creates an unnecessary administrative burden, complicating what should be a clear and decisive transition to a total ban on bottom trawling in all MPAs under the Habitats Directive. Such a transition would not only align with the EU’s simplification agenda but also enhance clarity, promote equity, and replenish fishing grounds through spill-over effects that ultimately benefit fisheries.

The recent UN Ocean Conference in Nice highlighted the stark contradiction of allowing bottom trawling in areas designated as protected. The Ocean Pact presented an opportunity to correct this course, but ultimately resulted in a reaffirmation of the status quo rather than a commitment to meaningful change.

Therefore, we urge you to:

Commit to including legally binding targets in the Ocean Act that would phase out destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling in MPAs, thereby ensuring healthy seas and a secure future for Europe’s low-impact fishers and the communities that rely on them.

As a scientist, you understand the evidence that supports these claims. As a Commissioner, you are in a position to act decisively. This issue transcends mere biodiversity and climate resilience; it touches on fairness, food security, and the very survival of Europe’s coastal communities. The time for ambiguity has passed. The question is no longer whether to act on a case-by-case basis but whether the Commission will display the leadership necessary to stand in solidarity with citizens and fishers, rather than accommodating industrial interests.

This is not just about biodiversity, nature protection and climate resilience; it is about fairness, food security, and the survival of Europe’s coastal communities.

History will judge your leadership not by the subtlety of your rhetoric but by the tangible protections you deliver for Europe’s seas and the people who depend on them.

Sincerely,
Protect Our Catch

Protect Our Catch is a new European campaign supported by leading ocean advocates Seas At Risk, Oceana, BLOOM, Blue Marine Foundation, DMA, Empesca’t, Environmental Justice Foundation, Only One, and Tara Ocean Foundation. This coalition, alongside hundreds of thousands of citizen activists, is calling on European leaders to ban destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling in marine protected areas.

This rewritten piece is structured to engage the audience of the ‘Net Zero News Network’ while highlighting the critical issues surrounding bottom trawling in Europe’s marine protected areas. The message is clear and compelling, emphasising the need for urgent action and leadership in protecting our oceans.