On 9 June 2025, DEFRA and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) launched a 12-week online consultation proposing new byelaws to prohibit bottom-trawling and, in some cases, static gears (like traps and nets) in an additional 30,000 km² of English waters. This would expand total bottom-trawling restrictions to about 48,000 km². The proposed byelaws are tailored to each Marine Protected Area’s (MPA) specific habitat sensitivities (e.g., sandbanks, gravel beds, muds) and species protection needs.
According to the MMO’s Stage 3 De Minimis Assessment (June 2025) approximately 1,303 UK fishing vessels are expected to be directly impacted by these gear restrictions. The eight ports facing the highest estimated revenue losses are spread across different counties, with around 50% of the total losses concentrated in the South West of England.
The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), representing England’s fishing industry, is preparing a formal response to the UK Government’s consultation on new fishing restrictions proposed for 42 MPAs in English waters.
Key to this is determining what is caught within the affected MPAs, where these catches go post-landing, and how vessel owners and fishermen perceive the proposed changes and their expected effects. This input is essential for establishing the “true impact” of the policy changes on fishing communities, seafood markets, and related livelihoods.
The NFFO is requesting affected vessel owners to complete a questionnaire based on fishing activity in MPAs between July 2023 and June 2025. The form should not take more than 20 minutes if you fish in one MPA, be completed as accurately and thoroughly as possible, including details such as species, catch weight, and fishing gear used.
The quality and volume of responses will strengthen the NFFO’s evidence-based case to government. Individual responses will remain confidential within the NFFO’s consultancy team, with only anonymous, aggregated data published.
This is your chance to have your say! If you are impacted by this policy proposal then please fill in a questionnaire and share with others who may also be affected.
There is an option to fill the form in digitally, please follow the links below. If you wish for a hard copy of the survey please contact the NFFO.
Your help information will help us put together the strongest argument, backed by evidence to the Government as to the true impact of the proposals.
Western Channel and South West https://forms.gle/SDRbmdT1bh4PbNXb7
Eastern Channel https://forms.gle/rmo3hmzvoZpCfJTt8
North Sea https://forms.gle/SFNYDvRdgHeLyi1s5
Irish Sea https://forms.gle/1wrzupUK4PR5ZXDX8