Off the French Atlantic coast live maërl beds: pink, coral-like algae that act as a nursery for essential fishing species and together form one of Europe’s most productive ecosystems. Alongside them, unique sandbanks designated as a Special Area of Conservation provide equally crucial nursery habitats for marine life. Yet bottom trawlers are destroying in minutes structures that took centuries to grow.

These are not unprotected waters. These sites fall within France's network of Natura 2000 Marine Protected Areas, but protection on paper means nothing without enforcement. The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and Défense des Milieux Aquatiques (DMA) have taken France to court for failing to prohibit bottom trawling in Chausey and Banc des Flandres, in violation of national and EU law. Their cases are being heard at the Conseil d'État, France's highest court, and the Tribunal Administratif de Rouen.

The courts are listening. At Bancs des Flandres, the court has already ruled that current protection is insufficient and ordered French authorities to strengthen measures in the coastal zone within nine months. 

At Chausey, the fight to protect its maërl beds continues.