NGO Bloom sues state to ban bottom trawling

On Wednesday, July 9, the NGO Bloom launched the first stage of a legal process aimed at forcing the French government to ban bottom trawling in metropolitan waters. The association announced that it would file an appeal with the Ministry of Ecological Transition, demanding that "measures be taken without delay to put an end to the ecological damage."

As a reminder, bottom trawling involves dragging a very large net across the seabed , up to 800 meters deep, to collect fish and shellfish. This fishing technique is now legal, including in most maritime areas, and represents half of the activity in France. However, as it passes, the net scrapes the ground and damages fragile habitats. The seabed can then erode.

According to Bloom, half of the net's contents are thrown back into the sea. Furthermore, fish are caught when their stock is considered depleted. Finally, accidental catches of young fish can disrupt the species' reproduction.

This appeal is a prerequisite for bringing the matter before the administrative court, before which the NGO intends to demonstrate that " the current practice " of bottom trawling "is not compatible with the European and national legal framework aimed at ensuring the protection of marine environments." Aware that bottom trawlers are dependent on a system and have little margin, Bloom advocates a transition to sustainable fishing.