|
LEADING marine biologist is blaming trawling for turning much of the sea bed around Britain's coastline into an underwater desert.
More than 100 years of constant fishing by powerful trawlers have combined to kill off much of the marine life arounbd our shores, says Professor Callum Roberts from York University who has carried out detailed research on the subject.
This is not the first time that Professor Roberts, who was tempted into marine science by a trip to the coral reefs in the Middle East, has spoken out on fisheries issues. Two years ago he condemned the EU quota system as misguided.
Using the evidence of deep sea photography, he suggests that a sea bed once rich in marine life and shellfish has largely become barren and the destruction of shellfish beds is one reason why much of the seawater on the surface has turned from blue to a dirty grey colour.
He told the Sunday Times at the weekend, which has published his report in some detail: 'These changes have taken place over such a long time that we cannot see them happening. Fishing, especially trawling has destroyed sea life and left us surrounded by a marine desert.'
By contrast, he points to areas around the coast where fishing is forbidden, usually for military reasons, where marine life and the seabeds are still full of life.
His study will add strength to environmentalists who are calling for ' no fishing' zones to be set up around the UK coastline.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
