Environmental organization Greenpeace deployed its ship Arctic Sunrise to release nine boulders into fishing grounds off the east coast of England over the weekend. The action targeted an area in the Southern North Sea Marine Protected Area near Norfolk, with the organization stating it had effectively blocked 116 square kilometers from bottom trawling activities.
Bottom trawling involves dragging weighted nets across the seabed to catch fish. Greenpeace contends this practice damages underwater vegetation and harms marine life. The organization claimed the boulder placement would protect harbor porpoises in the area by preserving fish stocks and reducing noise pollution that interferes with the mammals’ hunting abilities.
Greenpeace acknowledged it did not obtain a license for the operation. The organization characterized the action as a final measure, stating that negotiations with politicians and government officials to safeguard marine protected areas had progressed too slowly. Greenpeace stated it had subsequently notified authorities with the coordinates of each boulder placement to help other vessels navigate the area safely.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs responded by emphasizing that activities at sea must be conducted lawfully and with consideration for other sea users. The department noted existing legislation protects marine environments across more than 100 sites where damaging fishing activities are prohibited, with government officials considering additional restrictions where appropriate.
This action mirrors a similar effort in 2022, when Greenpeace dropped 18 boulders off the coast of Cornwall. The Marine Management Organisation, England’s marine regulator, previously expressed disappointment with such actions, stating they did not believe the approach was justified or beneficial to marine environmental protection.
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