Nature groups have accused the European Union of a “deep betrayal” over its calls for an arbitration process over the UK’s sandeel fisheries ban.
Some 35 UK and EU conservation organisations have issued a joint statement urging the Commission to support the post-Brexit UK ban which aims to protect the ecosystem.
Hugo Tagholm, executive director of Oceana UK, said: “It is a deep betrayal of our shared seas that the EU is continuing this challenge, which is clearly driven by aggressive tactics from industry giants who lobby for short-term profit with scant regard for marine life.
“Sandeels are an essential pillar of life in our ocean, supporting a wealth of wildlife that rely on these fish for food, and are already under strain from other threats, from the climate crisis to chronic pollution.”
Danish fishermen argue that the UK’s ban breaches the Brexit deal but the Labour Government has been urged to stand firm against their demands to protect sandeels.
The fish are a key part of the UK ocean food chain, supporting vulnerable seabird species including Puffins, Kittiwakes, and Razorbills.
They are also a vital food source for seals, porpoises and whales, and important fish species like Haddock and Whiting.
Katie-jo Luxton, the RSPB’s director of conservation, said: “The EU’s decision flies in the face of its commitment to protect and restore marine ecosystems.
“It is a scandalous attempt to reverse a hard-won victory for under-pressure seabirds like Puffins and Kittiwakes, as well as the many other marine species that depend on sandeels.”
In January, after decades of campaigning, the UK and Scottish governments announced an end to industrial sandeel fishing in English waters of the North Sea and all Scottish waters.
The closure came into effect in March and is regarded by conservationists as an essential step towards protecting globally important seabird populations.
Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “Sandeels are familiar to us as flashes of silver in puffins’ bright beaks.
“Protecting them is vital to restoring devastated seabird populations, along with much-loved mammals such as seals, porpoises and whales.
“The UK Government should hold firm in the face of this challenge by the EU, and defend its much-needed decision to end industrial sandeel fishing. This is the type of leadership on the ground that will help in delivering an end to nature’s decline.”
The decision to end industrial sandeel fishing in the UK has come at a critical time for seabird populations as an alarming 62% of breeding seabird species have declined across the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer last month said he was ready to fight EU demands to lift the Tories’ post-Brexit environmental rules even if it risks his reset with Brussels.
The Prime Minister said the Government would be “keeping to our commitments” after the EU announced it would take the UK to court over the ban on sandeel fishing.
He said: “Well, look, wherever we make commitments, we’re keeping to our commitments. So we intend to follow through on the commitments that we’ve made.”
