How much bottom trawling is currently taking place in the Welsh Government's marine conservation zones?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs | Answered on 26/06/2025
Skomer is currently Wales’ only Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).
The seas within Skomer MCZ are subject to specific fishery bylaws which prohibit the use of bottom contact mobile fishing gear, specifically dredges and beam trawls. Therefore, no ‘permittable’ beam trawling or dredging activity should occur within the MCZ.