Blue Marine Foundation stands firm in support of the UK’s decision to ban sand eel fishing in English and Scottish waters, a move aimed at protecting vital seabird populations such as puffins and kittiwakes. This ban, implemented in March 2024, has faced legal challenges from the European Union, which initiated arbitration proceedings under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The EU contends that the ban infringes upon fishing rights, while the UK defends the measure as essential for marine conservation. Blue Marine Foundation, alongside other environmental groups, has backed the ban, emphasising the importance of sandeels in the marine food chain and their role in sustaining biodiversity.
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