The European Union is challenging the United Kingdom sand eel fishing ban in post-Brexit arbitration court dispute.
The EU wants an arbitration court to review a UK ban on sand eel fishing in the North Sea, claiming it breaches their post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The dispute centers on whether London’s 2024 prohibition, aimed at protecting eel stocks, violates the EU’s fishing rights under the economic deal established after Brexit.
The EU argues the UK’s blanket ban nullifies rights granted to its member states, particularly affecting Denmark, which catches 96% of the world’s sand eel and faces discrimination under the ban.
The UK defends its decision, citing scientific advice and the environmental benefits for marine life and bird species, such as puffins, that depend heavily on sand eels for food.
This marks the first legal clash between the EU and UK specifically over their post-Brexit trade arrangement, highlighting ongoing tensions in regulating shared natural resources in the North Sea.
