A ban on a "destructive" type of fishing that drags large nets along the seafloor could be extended across English waters, the government has said.
The proposal would expand the ban on bottom trawling from 18,000km2 to 48,000km2 (around 18,500 sq miles) of the UK's offshore areas that are already designated as protected. The plan is subject to a 12-week industry consultation.
A UN Ocean Conference begins in France today amid warnings from Sir David Attenborough that bottom trawling is destroying areas of the seabed and marine life.
A major goal of the conference is for more countries, including the UK, to ratify a treaty to put a third of international waters into protected areas by 2030.
Speaking before the summit, Sir David told Prince William he was "appalled" by the fishing method.
