North Sea Benthic Biomass Rises 15% After Bottom‑Trawling Bans

Research by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) shows that benthic communities in the North Sea and parts of the Baltic Sea have recovered since bottom‑trawling restrictions were introduced. Data from the 2026 ICES Marine Ecosystem Report indicate a 15 % increase in epifaunal biomass density in the Dogger Bank area that has been closed to mobile bottom‑contact gear since 2021.

Recovery rates differ by substrate: sandy bottoms recolonise quickly, while gravel and rocky habitats, which host slow‑growing cold‑water corals and bryozoans, may take decades. The European Fisheries Control Agency now manages a network of “no‑take” zones covering about 12 % of the North Sea, supporting the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which aims to protect at least 30 % of EU land and sea areas. While some commercial fleets report lower short‑term catches, the European Bottom Fisheries Alliance acknowledges the need for long‑term sustainability. Scientists warn that climate‑driven warming and deoxygenation could limit full restoration despite the absence of trawling.

Overall, the findings demonstrate that halting intensive bottom‑trawling allows the seabed to regenerate, but continued compliance and broader environmental measures are required to sustain the gains.