Mechanised bottom trawling inflicts severe environmental damage and destroys critical coral reefs and marine habitats. In 2015, Verité prepared the draft legislation for parliament that proposed to prohibit the practice in Sri Lanka. Subsequently Verité helped spread awareness on the need to have a complete ban on the practice, urging the then government to pass the legislation. In July 2017, Sri Lanka became the first country in Asia to completely ban the practice. Using press articles and social media, Verité continues to spread awareness on the need to enforce the ban to protect Sri Lanka’s fishing industry and marine environment.