EUROPEAN COMMISSION PROPOSES TRAWLING BAN TO PROTECT IRISH ATLANTIC CORAL REEFS

BY KEITH NUTHALL A PROPOSED ban on all commercial fishing in Atlantic waters near cool water coral reefs off western Ireland has been tabled by the European Commission. It follows a request for action from the Irish government. If European Union (EU) ministers agree, the ban would cover around 2,500 km2 of Atlantic waters: the Belgica Mound; the Hovland Mound; Northwest and Southwest Porcupine. The Dublin government has already proposed these areas be protected from under the EU's Natura 2000 conservation network. But this will take time, so it asked the ...


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