Boulders dropped off coast to disrupt deep fishing — SkimNews
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- Greenpeace dropped nine two-tonne boulders from the Arctic Sunrise off Norfolk over the weekend without a licence to obstruct bottom trawling, then gave authorities each placement's coordinates so maps could be updated for other vessels.
- Southern North Sea MPA extends from north of Dogger Bank to the Straits of Dover; Greenpeace said the boulder barrier had effectively closed 116 sq km (45 sq miles) to bottom trawling.
- Defra said all Marine Protected Areas are safeguarded by legislation, with damaging fishing banned at more than 100 sites and further restrictions under consideration; it also urged lawful activity and due regard for other sea users.
- Bottom trawling drags weighted nets along the seabed; Greenpeace said it can harm underwater vegetation, disrupt harbour porpoises' hunting through noise, and leave the mammals with low fish stocks to feed on.
- Marine Management Organisation said after 18 boulders were dropped off Cornwall in 2022 that Greenpeace's action was not justified and would not help protect the marine environment.
Why it matters: Greenpeace says nine boulders closed 116 sq km of the Southern North Sea MPA to bottom trawling, with the aim of protecting habitat and harbour porpoises. Defra says more than 100 sites already ban damaging fishing, so the unlicensed placement leaves regulators and other sea users facing compliance and navigation-safety concerns.
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