The Danish fishing industry has accused the UK of breaking the Brexit deal and jeopardising a promising sandeel season
The Danish fishing industry has once again criticised the UK over a decision to close sandeel fishing in its waters, saying that its actions is jeopardising a promising sandeel season.
In January, England and Scotland announced that as of 2024, that all commercial fishing for sandeel in UK waters of the North Sea (Area 4), which includes the Dogger Bank, will be prohibited. The Danish fishing industry has relied heavily on the English section of the Dogger Bank as fishing grounds for sandeel. Fishing associations in Denmark believe the UK has broken the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) by introducing the restriction.
Yesterday, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) presented scientific recommendations for setting sandeel fishing quotas.
In divisions 4.b–c, Sandeel Area 1r (central and southern North Sea, Dogger Bank), ICES advised that when the MSY approach is applied, catches should be no more than 132,315 tonnes in 2024. In divisions 4.b–c and Subdivision 20, Sandeel Area 2r (central and southern North Sea), ICES advised that when the MSY approach is applied, catches in 2024 should be no more than 35,925 tonnes, and in other areas of the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat, it advised zero catches in 2024.
In a press release following the ICES announcement, the Danish Pelagic Producers’ Organisation and the Danish Fisheries Association stated that despite optimistic recommendations for the fishery, the United Kingdom, in blatant violation of the Brexit agreement, is set to disrupt the sandeel fishing season. They say:
“Great Britain has announced the total closure of fishing grounds in British waters, where up to 75% of fishing normally takes place. The situation is unacceptable and very serious, says the fishing industry and the fishmeal industry.”
The joint statement laid out what they believe is the folly of the UK decision.
“Today, the biologists at the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea have delivered good news to the Danish fishing sector. The stock of sandpipers is well managed. There is a scientific basis for a sustainable fishery of around 167,000 tonnes of sole. The fishery has a total value of more than DKK 500 million (€67m/£57m) in 2024. Fishing for sandfish is therefore of decisive importance for the economy and employment in the fishing-dependent municipalities in North and West Jutland.
“The management of sandeels is ecosystem-based. That is to say, the quota recommendations take special account of the fish, birds and marine mammals that depend on sandeel as a food source. If there are sandfish left over, the fishermen can sustainably harvest from that surplus. And here the experts estimate that there is a surplus of 167,000 tonnes that the Danish fishermen can catch.”
The organisations say the entire fishing sector is deeply concerned about the upcoming sandeel season. Despite the thriving sandeel stock and the significant fees paid by Danish fishermen to access British waters post-Brexit, the United Kingdom has decided to prohibit sandeel fishing in its waters. The Danish Fisheries Association deems it a scandal and a humiliation of the EU.
“Sandeel stock is thriving. Fishing is sustainable. We paid dearly to fish in British waters. Therefore, it is beyond criticism that the UK is mocking the EU and, from one day to the next, banning sandeel fishing. It is a humiliation of the EU and a significant blow to Danish fisheries, which will be felt in Danish ports,” says Svend-Erik Andersen, Chairman of Denmark’s Fisheries Association.
Specifically, the majority of the total quota must be caught in what is referred to as area 1, where the recommendation is for 130,000 tons of sandeel, valued at just under DKK 400 million (€53.6m/£46m) for Danish fishermen. Therefore, the matter is very serious.
“The UK’s closure of the sandeel fishery has been decided in a process devoid of independent scientific advice and proportionality. The decision clearly violates the Brexit agreement made on December 24, 2020. Where I come from, a deal is a deal. If you break a deal, there are consequences,” says Jens Schneider Rasmussen, Chairman of Denmark’s Pelagic Producer Organisation.
Brexit Agreement Must Be Upheld
It is not only the fishing industry that is affected by the UK’s decision to ban sandeel fishing. It also has consequences for the fish oil and fishmeal industry. Landings of sandeel from the British area are historically significant and have formed the basis for Danish exports of fish oil and fishmeal, totalling DKK 2.7 billion (€360m/£310m) since 2015.
Therefore, says the fisheries organisations, it is crucial that the UK is not allowed to deviate from the Brexit agreement it has made with the EU, which specifically grants EU fishermen access to fish in British waters.
“It is deeply serious if the EU and EU leaders allow the UK to deviate from their agreement. It is a very critical situation. There are significant values at stake for Denmark, and it is our clear conviction that this is a breach of the Brexit agreement’s wording, which stipulates mutual access to fishing in each other’s waters. Therefore, we continue to urge a thorough legal examination of the UK decision,” says Anne Mette Bæk, Director of Marine Ingredients Denmark.
The UK’s decision to prohibit sandeel fishing takes effect on 01 April 1 this year, precisely when Danish fishermen usually commence sandeel fishing.
Source: Press Release