Greenpeace builds underwater boulder barrier to deter trawlers in North Sea protected area

Greenpeace activists have dropped large boulders from the organisation’s ship Arctic Sunrise to create an underwater barrier against industrial bottom trawlers in the Southern North Sea marine protected area (MPA).

The barrier has closed 116 sq km of the MPA to bottom trawling, according to Greenpeace UK. The organisation said the area is the UK’s most heavily bottom-trawled MPA, despite its designation as a protected zone. The Arctic Sunrise is expected to patrol the area in the coming days to discourage other forms of industrial fishing.

The Southern North Sea extends along England’s east coast, from north of Dogger Bank to the Strait of Dover. It is an important habitat for harbour porpoises and supports almost 20% of the UK North Sea population. However, most of the MPA has no fishing restrictions, allowing bottom trawlers, dredgers and other industrial vessels to operate there.

Greenpeace said bottom trawlers recorded more than 37,200 hours of fishing in the protected zone during 2025. The group has described the newly created area as an “ocean park”, reflecting the protection offered by national parks on land.

Will McCallum, Greenpeace UK’s co-executive director, said the Action was intended to address what the organisation considers inadequate government protection for the marine environment. Greenpeace had announced in June that it would take direct action if the government did not act soon.

The operation coincided with the nationwide premiere of Blue Planet III, a BBC wildlife documentary focused on the oceans and threats caused by human activity. Greenpeace’s analysis found that bottom trawlers and dredgers crossed a combined 55,600 sq km of marine protected-area seabed in 2025.

Several public figures added their names to boulders dropped from the Arctic Sunrise, including Labour MP Kerry McCarthy, a former climate minister and member of the all-party parliamentary group for the ocean. McCarthy called for a ban on bottom trawling and stronger ocean sanctuaries in UK waters and across the Atlantic.

The government has been contacted for comment.

Sources: The Guardian Business.