21 Jan 2025

Back in early 2024 the UK and Scottish Governments introduced a ban on sandeel fishing in Scottish waters and English waters of the North Sea in a move conservationists hailed as critical for saving the UK’s globally important seabird colonies. Now a challenge from the EU on the ban is set to be heard in […]

19 Nov 2024

A coalition of UK and EU NGOs join together to support the closure of the UK sandeel fishery in the North Sea.      The full statement:  Seabirds are experiencing devastating declines. Just two months ago, five new species were added to the UK Red List of highest conservation concern. Puffins, which depend on sandeels for food, […]

28 Oct 2024

The European Union (EU) has decided to request the establishment of an arbitration tribunal under the dispute settlement mechanism of the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) concerning the United Kingdom’s decision to prohibit the fishing of sandeel. The arbitration tribunal would rule on the compatibility of the measure with the TCA. The ban has […]

30 Apr 2024

Mairi Gougeon MSP, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform, and Islands, has written to Finlay Carson, the Chair of the Rural Affairs and Island Committee, to address the concerns regarding the sand eel fishing ban in Scotland and the challenge raised by the EU. The European Commission said that the ban […]

18 Apr 2024

The European Union (EU) has started proceedings against the UK under the post-Brexit trade deal dispute settlement mechanism regarding the UK’s decision to prohibit the fishing of sand eel in English waters within the North Sea and all Scottish waters. England and Scotland announced a prohibition on commercial sand eel fishing from March 2024, a move conservationists welcomed. […]

12 Mar 2024

The Danish fishing industry has raised concerns over the UK’s decision to close sandeel fishing in its waters, particularly in the Dogger Bank region. England and Scotland announced a prohibition on commercial sandeel fishing in UK waters of the North Sea (Area 4) from 2024, a move conservationists say will be a “game changer” for […]

06 Feb 2024

The UK government has vowed to end industrial sandeel fishing in English waters, a move conservationists say will be a “game changer” for saving the UK’s globally important seabird colonies. English waters of the North Sea will be closed for commercial sandeel fishing before the start of the season on 1 April. North Sea fishermen […]

06 Feb 2024

Fishing for sandeel is to be banned in Scottish waters ahead of the 2024 fishery season, subject to Parliamentary approval. Sandeel support the long term sustainability and resilience of the marine ecosystem and are an important food source for many species, including marine mammals, seabirds and predatory fish. Commercial fishing for sandeel is currently carried […]