The decision taken by U.K. and Scottish governments to stop sandeel fishing in their waters will have major implications for the fishing and processing sectors in Denmark and the European Union, according to Marine Ingredients Denmark.
The move also contravenes the cooperation agreement signed by the E.U. and the U.K. in December 2020, and the decision lacks scientific backing, the fishmeal and fish oil producers’ organization has warned.
On 31 January 2024, following a public consultation, the U.K. government announced the sandeel fishery in English waters will be permanently closed from April 2024 on. Scotland’s government has also confirmed it’s looking to implement a ban ahead of this year’s fishery season.
With sandeels recognized as a vital food source for some of the U.K.’s most vulnerable seabirds and marine mammals, as well as commercially important fish species such as haddock and whiting, the bans have been welcomed by policymakers and environmental groups.
However, Marine Ingredients Denmark Managing Director Anne Mette Bæk said her organization is alarmed by the closures. Danish fishermen “have paid a ...
Photo courtesy of Anne Mette Bæk/Marine Ingredients Denmark
