Sweden Bans Bottom Trawling in All Territorial Waters

Sweden is poised to become the second European Union country to ban bottom fishing in marine protected areas (MPAs), surpassing Greece’s recent decision by extending the ban to all its territorial waters. This move aims to protect marine ecosystems from the destructive practice of bottom trawling, which involves dragging heavy nets along the seabed, causing significant ecological damage and releasing carbon stored in ocean sediments.

At a press conference, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, alongside other government officials, announced this landmark decision. Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari emphasized the importance of this step for marine conservation. “For decades, the Liberals have been fighting to stop the large trawlers destroying our seas and our fish stocks. From now on, sturgeon, herring, and even cod can thrive along our coasts without being hindered by industrial trawlers,” Pourmokhtari wrote on social media, celebrating the new legislation.

This Swedish initiative follows the European Commission’s 2023 call for member states to phase out bottom trawling in MPAs by 2030. Despite this directive, the practice remains prevalent in 90% of MPAs, as noted by the Oceana Association. Sweden’s comprehensive ban thus represents a significant advancement in marine protection policies within the EU.

Greece was the first EU country to enact a ban on bottom fishing, starting with national marine parks by 2026 and extending to all MPAs by 2030. Sweden, a major fishing nation with 127 trawlers operating in 11% of its 2,179 MPAs, is now taking a more aggressive stance to safeguard its marine environment.

“We can only hope that the stocks will manage to recover,” Pourmokhtari expressed, adding that she is working with the European Commission and other member states to adopt similar measures across the EU. The Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition echoed this sentiment, urging European leaders to join the movement to restore marine life, Support low-impact fisheries, and protect coastal communities.

However, the European Bottom Fisheries Alliance (EBFA), which represents the fishing industry, criticized the ban, arguing that the existing practices are well-regulated. The EBFA calls for an EU strategy that emphasizes innovation and sustainable fishing practices rather than outright bans, stressing the need for a balanced approach to environmental protection.

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