Oceana reports illegal bottom trawling in Spanish marine protected areas
An investigation by the ocean conservation organization Oceana has revealed that bottom trawling continues to occur within at least six marine protected areas (MPAs) under the Natura 2000 network in Spain.
Using data from Global Fishing Watch, the study identified more than 51,000 hours of apparent bottom trawling activity within these theoretically protected zones during 2025. This includes 3,456 hours conducted over habitats specifically mapped as vulnerable. The activity involved approximately 205 vessels.
The affected areas, which have lacked updated management plans since 2021, include the Menorca Channel, the Avilés Submarine Canyon System, the Alborán Marine Space, South of Almería-Seco de los Olivos, the Mud Volcanoes of the Gulf of Cádiz, and the Western Submarine Canyon System of the Gulf of León. The trawling impacts sensitive ecosystems such as posidonia meadows, reefs, submarine canyons, and cold-water corals.
Entities
Global Fishing Watch · Gulf of Cádiz · Natura 2000 · Oceana · Spain
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Bottom trawling is occurring in at least six Natura 2000 marine protected areas in Spain. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.lne.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than 51,000 hours of apparent bottom trawling were identified in these areas during 2025. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.lne.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Spain has increased its protected marine surface area by 25% over the last decade. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.lne.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The management plans for the identified areas have been pending development since 2021. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.lne.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] 3,456 hours of trawling occurred over specifically mapped vulnerable habitats. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.lne.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Approximately 205 vessels were involved in the apparent trawling activity. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · www.lne.es · www.levante-emv.com