Greenpeace today slammed the government for failing to take sufficient action to prevent the deaths of thousands of dolphins around the UK every year.
Speaking today at the Labour Party Conference, Ben Bradshaw - the Fisheries Minister - announced a halt to UK boats pair trawling for sea bass within 12 miles of the UK. Pair trawling involves two boats dragging a net which can have a mouth as large as two football pitches and is directly responsible for killing large numbers of dolphins. However, Greenpeace argue that very little trawling takes place within those 12 miles and the measure will achieve "next to nothing".
Willie MacKenzie, Greenpeace oceans campaigner, said: "Bradshaw may as well have announced a ban on pair trawling in village ponds for all the dolphins this meaningless decision will save. Banning UK boats from pair trawling for sea bass within the paltry distance of 12 miles will achieve next to nothing.
"The government has the power to ban UK boats from taking part in this kind of fishing up to 200 miles away and, under European legislation designed to protect threatened animals, they're practically obliged to. Just last year, a single pair of trawlers killed 169 dolphins.
"The gruesome death toll of these dolphins is all too visible on beaches every year and the government has all the evidence it needs to take proper action, yet they have failed miserably to do so. Bradshaw must lead by example and shut down the UK fishery and go back to the European Commission and challenge their inability to act - all the evidence is available to ban this fishery and protect the endangered dolphin population."
In July, the government sought emergency European legislation to ban the UK sea bass pair trawling fishery following the launch of a legal challenge by Greenpeace. Greenpeace argued that the UK government were obliged to ban the fishery in order to protect dolphins under the EC Habitats Directive, which aims to protect threatened species. The case for emergency action through the European Commission was not successful, and the government promised to seek a ban on pair trawling for UK boats and in UK waters.
Further information
For more information, contact the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255.
