On February 11, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and Défense des Milieux Aquatiques (DMA) have launched legal action against France for not prohibiting bottom trawling in Natura 2000 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are taking their case to the country’s highest court, the Conseil d’Etat, concerning the Chausey MPA, and to the Tribunal Administratif de Rouen for the Bancs des Flandres MPA, over France’s failure to comply with its obligation to protect the marine environment from damage caused by bottom trawling, which they say violates national and EU law.
Bottom trawling, a fishing method that involves dragging weighted nets across the seabed, is a leading cause of habitat destruction in MPAs. It inflicts lasting damage on seabed ecosystems. Yet, in France this destructive practice is still carried out in 77% of marine Natura 2000 sites, in violation of national and EU environmental law.
Over the last five years, approximately 200,000 hours of trawling were recorded every year in French MPAs, when there should be none.
Focusing on two MPAs, the request highlights a wider failure by the French government to enforce protections across French waters. Despite their critical role in climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fisheries, MPAs are being severely harmed due to weak enforcement of rules and a lack of effective management measures.
With the UN Ocean Conference in Nice approaching, the two NGOs, along with the Protect Our Catch campaign coordinated by Only One, urge France to show leadership in marine conservation.
“We are initiating this legal action because, even though the Natura 2000 network covers 35% of France’s maritime territory, 90% of the species and habitats it protects remain under threat, making these MPAs nothing more than lines on a map,” said Marie Colombier, Senior Ocean Campaigner at EJF.
“It’s high time the responsible authorities in France act to protect France’s invaluable marine biodiversity hotspots. How else can France lead global action for our blue planet and credibly host the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice?”
“Bottom trawling is at odds with biodiversity conservation and France’s legal commitments to protecting MPAs,” said Raphaelle Jeannel, senior lawyer at Huglo Lepage Avocats.
“Today the preservation of marine biodiversity is a matter of law and the State must ensure it is effectively enforced.”
“Proper enforcement of existing regulations in MPAs could revitalize small-scale coastal fishing, a low-impact and sustainable practice, and boost local economies,” said Philippe Garcia, President of DMA.
“Yet, current policies prioritize short-term profits and overexploitation, leaving ecosystems degraded and fishermen without a clear path forward. Sustainable fisheries depend on healthy marine ecosystems, and without effective action, the sector’s future remains at risk.”
“I support this legal action,” said Mathilde Ollivier, French Senator.
“In the run-up to the United Nations Conference on the Oceans, the government must put its money where its mouth is and finally ensure real protection for marine protected areas. For the time being, France is failing to live up to its ambitions for the conservation of marine ecosystems.”
Photo credit: Pixabay/ PublicDomainPictures
