A coalition of environmental groups has launched legal action against the Dutch government, challenging fishing permits that allow bottom trawling in the Dogger Bank protected area.

The lawsuit, filed by ClientEarth, Doggerland Foundation, Blue Marine Foundation and ARK Rewilding, targets what they describe as systematic violations of EU conservation laws in one of the North Sea's most productive fishing grounds.

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The case comes as fishing operators across the EU face increasing regulatory pressure over bottom trawling practices, with Greece and Sweden already announcing restrictions in their protected waters and Scotland proposing bans in 20 marine protected areas.

The legal challenge follows the UK's complete closure of its portion of the Dogger Bank to bottom-towed fishing gear, creating regulatory disparities that affect vessels operating across North Sea territories.

The NGOs said a ruling against the Dutch government would send a "strong signal" to EU institutions and other member states to implement similar restrictions in EU marine protected areas, of which over 80% currently permit industrial fishing activities.

"The Netherlands has long-standing commitments under European and international law to protect the Dogger Bank from harmful human activities," said Tom Appleby, chief legal affairs adviser to Blue Marine Foundation. "The site was designated in 2009, and protection should have started even before that."

The NGOs are calling for EU support to finance a transition to alternative fishing methods, aiming to minimize the economic impact on coastal communities.

The Dogger Bank, which spans UK, Dutch, German and Danish waters, serves as a spawning ground for commercially important species, including cod, mackerel, herring, and sole.

A similar case was filed against Germany last year over bottom trawling in its section of the Dogger Bank.