Environmental groups BLOOM and ClientEarth have filed a lawsuit against the French government over its failure to ban claimed destructive trawling practices in certain Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs).

The two groups filed the joint claim on Monday (Sept. 30) at the Administrative Court of Paris.

EU law specifically prohibits trawling in MPAs that host vulnerable habitats like seagrass meadows and coral reefs. However, France continues allowing trawling in some of its designated MPAs through decrees and exemptions, said the pair.

"These areas are meant to be protected as they're essential for biodiversity and climate protection. That's why this protection is enshrined in law. But in spite of these commitments, and global commitments to protect nature, we're seeing countries like France constantly bend the rules," said Nils Courcy, a ClientEarth legal expert.

The NGOs previously filed an unsuccessful administrative request for France to repeal trawling authorizations in affected MPAs. After receiving no response, they brought legal action.

Over 80% of EU MPAs only provide marginal protection against industrial fishing, according to recent research. A French policy shift could influence other countries.

"We're taking the issue to court to make sure that protected truly means protected," Courcy said.