The decision by the UK government to shut down the sandeel fishery in the British part of the North Sea is being challenged in court as the Danish fishing sector is not prepared to accept what is seen as a blatant contravention of the terms of the Brexit agreement.
‘I have no doubt it’s in breach of the EU-UK agreement,’ said Danish MEP Asger Christiansen, who has taken the issue up with both Danish fisheries minister Jakob Jensen and EU Commissioner for Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius.
‘This has been upheld by the European Commission and for the first time in history it is initiating proceedings against Great Britain. This comes after I succeeded in putting the matter on the agenda in the EU over the past few months and received broad support from the other EU countries.’
Danish MP Charlotte Bagge Hansen has also commented on the situation, stating that ‘it is completely unreasonable that the UK has imposed a total ban on Danish sandeel catches in British waters.’
‘We see it as a clear breach of the Brexit agreement that the UK shuts down a DKK135 million Danish fishery overnight. Fortunately, the hard work of Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Minister for Fisheries Jacob Jensen has borne fruit and ensured that the EU Commission now supports Denmark’s protests and takes legal action against Great Britain. We will continue to do everything we can to safeguard Danish fishing interests.’
Marine Ingredients Denmark stated that it is very positive that the EU has started this consultation.
‘Since the announcement of the UK’s closure of the sandeel fishery on 31st January 2024, we have recommended a thorough examination of the legal implications of the UK decision,’ director Anne Mette Bæk said, and has previously commented that allowing the UK to renege on its agreement is a serious issue
‘It’s a critical situation. These are significant values for Denmark, and it is our clear conviction that this is a breach of the wording of the Brexit agreement that mutual access to fishing in the waters of the parties must be granted.’
Marine Ingredients Denmark has repeatedly highlighted that the UK’s decision is contrary the scientific advice from ICES, and that management of sandeel fishing takes into account the ecosystem and the various marine species that depend on sandeel as an important part of their food chain.
Asger Christiansen reiterated the importance of taking a stand on this.
‘If Denmark and Danish fishermen suffer this time, who will Britain hit next time if we do not put our foot down now?’ he said.
‘The only acceptable solution is for Britain to open up sandeel fishing. Danish fishermen must be able to fish what they are entitled to under the Brexit agreement.’
