New Law Bans Trawling Off Sussex Coast To Protect Marine Life

A new law banning trawling and scalloping in an area off the Sussex coast has been approved by the government.

The move will protect a 101 square mile zone off Beachy Head, an area known for its rich marine habitats including short-snouted seahorses and reef-building worms.

It follows earlier action taken five years ago, when fishing using bottom-towed gear was banned across a much larger stretch of Sussex waters.

With the new measures in place, nearly 30 per cent of Sussex’s inshore waters are now protected from trawling.

The ban applies to the Beachy Head East Marine Conservation Zone, where certain types of fishing gear dragged along or close to the seabed are no longer allowed.

However, a smaller section of the area will remain open to trawling where sensitive habitats are not present.

Lower-impact fishing methods, such as nets, pots and rod-and-line fishing, will still be permitted across the site.

The changes are aimed at protecting important underwater environments, including chalk reefs which provide vital habitats and nursery areas for fish species.

Trawling has long been viewed by conservation groups as damaging, as it involves dragging heavy equipment along the seabed, which can harm marine ecosystems.

The new restrictions will be monitored by the Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, which oversees fishing activity in the region.

While conservation groups have welcomed the move, some in the fishing industry have raised concerns about the impact on livelihoods, particularly as more areas are closed to trawling.

Previous restrictions introduced in 2021 have been linked to signs of recovery in marine life, including increases in species such as lobster, brown crab and seahorses.

Further protections could be introduced in the future, with additional trawling bans currently under consideration in Marine Protected Areas across Sussex and Kent.