Growing up, I have always had an undeniable passion for the ocean. The vastness of its blue waters and the incredible diversity of life it sustains has captivated me and my family for as long as i can remember. We have spent countless days marveling at its beauty, discovering its wonders, and recognizing the immense connection we have with its creatures big and small. Our love for the ocean runs deep, and witnessing its decimation at the hands of destructive practices like bottom trawling is heart-wrenching. We feel compelled to act and do whatever we can to help save the ocean and its many wonderful creatures from harm and unnecessary suffering.

Bottom trawling is a fishing practice that involves dragging heavy nets across the ocean floor. This method is akin to forest clear-cutting, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. The nets indiscriminately scoop up everything in their path, destroying vital seabed habitats, killing countless marine creatures, and capturing a significant amount of bycatch — species that are not the primary target of the fishery. It's an unsustainable practice that decimates biodiversity, disrupts marine ecosystems, and significantly impacts the health of our oceans.

Studies have shown that more than 50% of the catch from bottom trawling consists of bycatch, including endangered species. This devastation of marine life and habitats has far-reaching consequences on our environment and the local communities that rely on fishing as a source of livelihood. The seabed, once destroyed, can take decades, if not centuries, to recover.

Currently in the U.S. alone 10% of the seabed is allowed to be bottom trawled and while that may not seem like much it’s is generally a huge amount of ocean seabed and marine life being destroyed and that’s just in the U.S. alone.

By banning bottom trawling completely, we can protect our oceans for future generations. The transition to more sustainable fishing methods is not only possible but necessary. Governments and policymakers need to implement stricter regulations and invest in innovative technology and practices that allow for responsible and sustainable fishing.

Join me in urging our leaders to take action against this destructive practice. Sign this petition to demand a ban on bottom trawling and help us protect the ocean — a vital force of life that connects us all and needs our stewardship now more than ever.