Protecting Our Blue Planet: Why the UK Must Lead from the Front on Marine Conservation

​The Liberal Democrats have long championed the protection of our natural world, and the health of our oceans is no exception. While the recent signing of the High Seas Treaty is a welcome step toward safeguarding international waters, it highlights a jarring contradiction in the current Government’s approach, why are we signing global pledges while failing to protect the waters right on our doorstep?

Liberal Democrat MPs such ​Wera Hobhouse MP and Alistair Carmichael, are tireless advocate for marine environments, they are calling out this hypocrisy.  International treaties are hollow if we do not show leadership within our own Exclusive Economic Zone.

“We Liberal Democrats have long been pushing for the strongest possible marine environmental targets, both internationally and domestically, including through the ratification of the global oceans treaty. I hope the Government finally heeds our calls and shows global leadership in tackling the ocean and climate crises.” Wera Hobhouse MP 

​The Scourge of Bottom Trawling
​At the heart of the issue is bottom trawling, a destructive fishing practice where heavy nets are dragged across the seafloor. This method doesn't just catch fish; it bulldozes entire ecosystems.

​"Bottom trawling damages the seabed, kills animals & plants indiscriminately, and releases vast amounts of carbon, driving climate change. It's shocking and unacceptable that this still takes place in Marine Protected Areas. We must ban bottom trawling and protect our precious marine ecosystems." — Wera Hobhouse MP


​Despite many areas of the UK coast being designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), industrial bottom trawling is often still permitted within their boundaries. To the Liberal Democrats, an "MPA" that allows bottom trawling is a "protected area" in name only.

​Liberal Democrat Solutions
​The Liberal Democrats have a clear, ambitious plan to restore our blue carbon sinks and protect biodiversity. Our policies focus on:

​A Total Ban on Bottom Trawling in MPAs: The Liberal Democrats are calling for an immediate ban on bottom trawling in all UK Marine Protected Areas to allow the seabed to recover.

​Expanding the MPA Network:  Expand the UK’s "blue belt" of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to cover at least 50% of UK territorial waters by 2030. Increasing the proportion of protected waters and ensuring "highly protected" status means a total absence of extractive activities.

​Stricter Enforcement: Stronger enforcement and transparency around illegal and unregulated fishing. Providing the Royal Navy and the Marine Management Organisation with the resources needed to actually police our waters against illegal fishing.

​Global Ambition, Local Action
​The UK should be a global leader in marine conservation, but leadership starts with integrity. We cannot effectively lobby other nations to protect the High Seas while we allow the destruction of our own underwater forests.

​"The Government has signed the High Seas Treaty to safeguard marine life in international waters. Yet when it comes to our own oceans they continue to fail to take meaningful action. It’s outrageous. We must ban destructive bottom trawling in our Marine Protected Areas to protect our own waters."— Wera Hobhouse MP

​The Liberal Democrats believe that protecting our oceans is not just an environmental necessity; it is a duty to future generations. By banning bottom trawling and properly managing our MPAs, we can ensure a resilient, thriving marine environment for years to come.


Related articles:

https://bathnewseum.com/2025/10/21/protect-the-seas/ 

www.facebook.com/share/p/1DwoRB5HbN/ 

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v507lx0e3o 

www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/31/a-national-scandal-trawlers-scour-seabeds-of-supposedly-protected-uk-waters 

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