Consultation on bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas welcomed by Marine Conservation Society Published 2 months ago A consultation launched by the UK’s Marine Management Organisation has been welcomed by the Marine Conservation Society. The MMO has launched the consultation to explore whether bottom towed fishing activity should be prohibited in four Marine Protected Areas where there is evidence they harm wildlife or damage habitats. Earlier this year the Marine Conservation Society released its Marine unProtected Areas report which found that bottom towed fishing gear was being used in almost all of the UK’s protected areas designated specifically to safeguard the seabed. As a result, the charity called for a ban on bottom trawling in these areas intended to protect the seabed. The consultation is a positive step in the right direction.