<
https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/04/16/greece-to-become-first-in-europe-to-ban-bottom-trawling-in-all-marine-protected-areas>
"Greece will ban bottom trawling in all of its marine protected areas (MPAs) by
2030, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced today.
Speaking at the Our Ocean Conference in Athens, he said the country would
become the first to bring an end to the damaging fishing practice in these
protected areas. It will be banned in Greece’s three national marine parks -
one of which is the largest in the East Mediterranean Sea - by 2026 with the
rest following before the end of the decade.
Bottom trawling involves dragging heavy fishing nets across the ocean floor,
which can destroy habitats and even release carbon into the ocean and
atmosphere. Though there are restrictions in place throughout Europe, this is
the first outright ban in all of one country’s marine protected areas.
“This historic move - a first for Europe - brings the country one step closer
to ensuring that its marine protected areas can deliver the full potential of
their benefits, which range from protecting biodiversity and storing carbon to
boosting the tourism and fishing industries,” says the founder of
National
Geographic explorer in residence and found[er] of its Pristine Seas initiative
Enric Sala.
“The ocean floor is the world’s largest carbon storehouse. Leaving the seabed
undisturbed is critical to global efforts to curb the climate crisis.
“Countries that are serious about keeping global temperatures at bay,
conserving biodiversity and keeping their fishing industries vibrant must join
Greece in ending this outdated practice in MPAs.”"
Via
Fix the News:
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https://fixthenews.com/good-news-on-immunisation-conservation-in-mongolia-and-clean-energy-in-china/>
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
