On 9 June 2025, the government announced plans to extend bans on the use of bottom towed gear and other damaging fishing activities in more Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).  

As England’s marine manager, MMO is responsible for managing fishing in offshore MPAs. It is now asking marine stakeholders to view its draft management measures for 42 English MPAs, complete an online survey and have their say.   

Proposals would be implemented through the creation of four region byelaws. They include: 

• prohibitions of fishing using bottom towed gear in specified areas in 31 MPAs; 

• prohibition of fishing using bottom towed gears and prohibitions on fishing using static gears (traps and/or bottom set nets and lines) in specified areas in four MPAs; 

• prohibition of fishing using traps in a specified area of one MPA; 

• prohibition of fishing using bottom towed gear and prohibition of the removal of spiny lobster, also known as crawfish (Palinurus elephas) in a specified area of one MPA; 

• minor changes to existing bottom towed gear prohibitions in five MPAs to reflect the most up to date approach, habitat location and depth information. 

The total area of seabed that would be protected by MMOs proposed measures is approximately 30,000 km².  

The measures are based on detailed assessments into the impacts of fishing on sensitive seabed habitats and species within these sites. This includes circalittoral rock (animal dominated rocky reef habitats), fan mussels, ocean quahogs, as well as sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities.  

These habitats and species are at risk from damaging fishing activity. Their protection and recovery will contribute to healthier marine ecosystems and support the long-term sustainability of commercial fish stocks. 

Michelle Willis, MMOs Acting CEO, said: 

Marine protected areas play a critical role in the future health and vitality of our seas and sustainability of our fisheries. Our latest proposals are based on draft fisheries assessments which have concluded that management measures are necessary to ensure, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that the conservation objectives of the MPAs included in the stage can be achieved.

This consultation runs for 12 weeks and will close on 1 September 2025. Stakeholders are encouraged to view proposals by region and comment on areas relevant to them. 

The consultation follows a call for evidence which ran from 17 January to 28 March 2023.  

To take part and view the draft byelaws, impact assessments, de minimis assessment, maps and coordinates of the areas included in this consultation, please visit: www.gov.uk/government/collections/marine-protected-areas-stage-3-consultation  

To find out more about MPAs, please visit: www.gov.uk/marine-protected-areas