Greenpeace drops boulders in North Sea to block industrial fishing
Activists create underwater barrier to prevent bottom trawling in UK marine protected area
At a glance
- Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise dropped boulders to form an underwater barrier
- Target is Southern North Sea marine protected area, UK's most bottom-trawled MPA
- Action intended to prevent bottom trawling and conserve porpoise populations
Greenpeace activists aboard the Arctic Sunrise have deployed large boulders in the North Sea to create an underwater barrier intended to obstruct industrial trawling operations. The action targets the Southern North Sea marine protected area, described as the UK's most heavily bottom-trawled MPA.
The activists aim to prevent bottom trawling, a fishing method that drags nets across the seabed, and to protect porpoise populations in the protected zone.
Why it matters
Marine protected areas are designated to conserve ecosystems, but enforcement remains challenging when industrial fishing continues within their boundaries.
Original reporting
- The Guardian — WorldGreenpeace activists create ‘boulder barrier’ in North Sea to deter industrial fishing
- The Guardian — BusinessGreenpeace activists create ‘boulder barrier’ in North Sea to deter industrial fishing
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.
