February 1, 2006
Victory in the Mediterranean
BY: Matt Littlejohn
Last Thursday, our European office won a victory for protecting some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and important habitats from bottom trawling in Spanish Mediterranean waters. Here’s a picture — from our friends at ZOEA — of the type of marine habitat that will now be safe thanks to this decision.
Essentially, Spain’s Agriculture Ministry, which also regulates the fisheries office, announced that the government will-
*Ban rock-hopper gear
*Forbid bottom trawling in areas that contain sea grass, maerl, or corals
*Ban bottom trawling at depths below 1,000 meters, consistent with the recommendation of the General Fisheries Commission of the Mediterranean (GFCM)
The map below shows in blue the areas down to 100 meters, where most of the sea grass, maerl, and corals can be found (and where it will now be protected by the Spanish government). Go to our European media center for more information.