The European Bottom Fisheries Alliance (EBFA) brings you Voices of the Sea — a campaign to raise awareness about the essential role of bottom-contact fisheries in Europe’s food system, coastal economies, and cultural heritage. Dive into the voices, data, and realities behind one of the most scrutinized yet vital sectors in the EU.
THE CHALLENGES WE FACE
- Increasing fishing area closures not based on environmental argumentation and with little socio-economic consideration
- Public misconceptions shaped by incomplete narratives
- Competition from fleets outside the EU with lower standards
- Climate change reshaping marine ecosystems
This campaign is not about asking for support — it’s about asking to be heard.
WHY THIS CAMPAIGN MATTERS
Bottom fishing is often misunderstood — portrayed as harmful or outdated. But for thousands of fishers across Europe, it is a source of dignity, sustenance, and survival.
Voices of the Sea was created to:
- Humanise the debate with real testimonies
- Show the scientific and technological progress of the sector
- Highlight the cultural and economic impact on coastal communities
- Counter simplified narratives with facts, nuance, and empathy
This is not a campaign for sympathy. It’s a call for awareness, understanding, and respect.
SCIENCE-DRIVEN SUSTAINABILITY
A proven model of responsible fishing
EU bottom fisheries operate in resilient marine areas, guided by science-based management plans that ensure long-term balance:
- Stocks are recovering in key regions
- Fishing methods adapted to reduce bycatch
- Certified by programmes such as the MSC
- Constant collaboration with scientists and regulators
Sustainability isn’t a slogan — it’s the foundation.
SMARTER FISHING. HEALTHIER SEAS.
Simple tools and proven practices help fishers catch what they want, use less fuel, and reduce marine life interactions. Tradition and innovation can sail together.
WHY IT MATTERS
Less waste: more fish for the future.
Safer decks: better tools protect crews and wildlife.
Lower fuel: smarter gear means fewer emissions and lower costs.
LABELS AND CERTIFICATIONS
We don’t list labels here. Good practices can help meet certification criteria, and certification requirement can encourage implementation of sustainable pratices.
A label alone doesn’t make a fishery sustainable.
MORE ON BOTTOM TRAWLING
Quick facts that challenge common myths
Most EU bottom fishers operate in resilient seabed areas, avoiding sensitive habitats and applying spatial restrictions
Bottom fishing is one of the most heavily regulated sectors
in the EU, governed by strict gear rules, quotas, and environmental compliance frameworks
Many are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an independent programme ensuring sustainability, biodiversity protection, and science-based management
EBFA represents over 20,000 fishers — many of them part
of small, family-owned fleets operating under EU control and inspection regimes
Behind every vessel is a family, a tradition, and a regulated system that works.
GUARDIANS OF THE SEA
The reality of bottom fisheries
European bottom fishing is a centuries-old tradition — and a modern, regulated practice. Thousands of family-owned vessels fish under the strictest controls worldwide, providing healthy seafood and protecting their communities’ way of life.
They are not working against nature — they are working with it, every day.
HEAR OUR VOICES
ABOUT THE EBFA
Who is behind this campaign?
The European Bottom Fisheries Alliance (EBFA) unites over 20,000 fishers and 7,000 vessels from 14 EU countries. We advocate for a balanced, science-based future for bottom-contact fishing — where sustainability includes people as well as nature.
© European Bottom Fisheries Alliance 2025