Fresh calls have been made to strengthen restrictions on destructive fishing practices.

In Wales, both Conservative and Labour members of the Senedd have voiced support for a ban on bottom trawling within marine protected areas (MPAs).

The Welsh Parliament debate, which took place on July 9, centred on concerns that only one of Wales’ 139 MPAs—Skomer Marine Conservation Zone—currently has such a ban in place.

Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and the Environment, said: "As Sir David Attenborough stated, with over three-quarters of a trawler’s catch being thrown away, it’s hard to imagine a more wasteful way to catch fish.

"The Welsh fishery is predominantly an inshore fishery.

"The highest intensities of bottom trawling in Wales are occurring in offshore sites by vessels from other nations.

"Fishing data shows that there are Irish, some Cornish and EU boats all trawling in both near and offshore areas of Wales, creating damage.

"Where prohibitions exist the results are positive.

"For example, in Lyme Bay in southwest England the ban on bottom trawling has led to commercially caught fish species inside the MPA increasing in abundance by 370 per cent, and the richness of the species mix increasing by 430 per cent.

"So both the environment and fishers could be better off."

Bottom trawling involves dragging heavy nets along the seabed, often using metal beams or teeth to keep the nets open.

This method can cause significant damage to marine habitats.

Ms Finch-Saunders argued that the ban would not only protect marine life but also support climate goals.

She said: "As I have repeatedly stated in the Senedd, marine habitats such as subtidal mud can capture and store large amounts of carbon.

"The prohibition would unquestionably benefit carbon capture."

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She added: "Whilst it is very disappointing that the Welsh Government is not prepared to take immediate action to stop bottom trawling in any extra MPA, thankfully there are a few of us in the siambr, cross-party, who like Sir Attenborough, make a big splash and bring marine policy to the fore time and again.

"We are like waves.

"We will not stop."