Greenpeace is conducting an action as part of its campaign against bottom trawling, aiming to create an 'ocean park' by closing 116 square kilometres of the Southern North Sea MPA to destructive fishing.

Labour MP Kerry McCarthy, who helped place a boulder, criticized the limited protection of UK seas and called for an outright ban on bottom trawling and stronger ocean sanctuaries.

Authorities stressed the need for lawful at-sea activities with due regard for safety and existing protections for MPAs, while signaling the possibility of further restrictions where beneficial.

Activists argue that intensive fishing undermines the MPA’s objective of protecting prey for porpoises and other wildlife, framing the action as necessary direct action.

Greenpeace notes that 2025 saw more than 37,000 fishing hours logged by bottom trawlers in the protected zone, higher than in any other offshore MPAs.

Celebrities Simon Pegg and Benedict Cumberbatch supported the campaign by signing the boulders, with Cumberbatch and Pegg also drawing attention to the action.

Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise vessel is patrolling the area to deter further fishing in the coming days, alongside endorsement from Simon Pegg and Benedict Cumberbatch.

This action follows a similar Greenpeace tactic in 2022, when activists dropped 18 boulders off Cornwall, indicating a recurring protest method.

The Southern North Sea MPA is crucial for harbour porpoises and other wildlife, but much of it currently lacks fishing restrictions, contributing to heavy bottom trawling in 2025.

Regulators framed the boulder drop as unlawful disruption and not justified, with the Marine Management Organisation indicating it is unlikely to help protect the marine environment.

The deployment occurred over the weekend and involved Kerry McCarthy, with their names attached to the boulders amid celebrity support.

A Defra spokesperson highlighted strict legislation protecting the marine environment, noting that MPAs are safeguarded with damaging fishing activities banned in over 100 sites and potential further restrictions being considered.