Sandeel: Brexit fishing row heads for trade court showdown

Published On Jan 19, 2025, 7:46 PM

The UK has banned EU vessels from fishing sandeel in its waters to protect marine wildlife, sparking a legal battle with the EU. This is the first trade arbitration post-Brexit. The EU claims the ban unjustly discriminates against Danish fishermen, who rely on sandeel for their livelihoods and have rights under the post-Brexit trade deal. The situation could lead to repercussions like tariffs on UK exports if the UK's ban is overturned. Conservation efforts align with this ban, as it supports the endangered seabird population, and politically, it has garnered bipartisan support in the UK.