Outrage at EU decision which could see Northumberland's seabirds facing starvation
Environmental groups have expressed their outrage at an EU decision to trigger an arbitration process over the closure of UK sandeel fisheries.
The Government announced the closure of waters to sandeel fishing in the English North Sea and all of Scotland in January, with the move coming into force in late March. Sandeels are a key part of the diet of seabirds such as puffins, razorbills, terns, kittiwakes and others found on the Northumberland Coast.
However, sandeels are also coveted by fishermen for their oil and use in feed for livestock and farmed salmon. The previous Conservative administration implemented the closures to all boats targeting the fish on advice that prohibiting fishing for sandeels in the North Sea will benefit seabirds, fish and marine mammals.
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The RSPB says that the EU's decision to trigger an arbitration process over the UK's sandeel fisheries closure flies in the face of its commitment to protect and restore marine ecosystems. In the last two months alone, five new seabirds have been added to the IUCN Red List, with puffins already on it despite the Farne Islands population "bouncing back" in 2024.
The RSPB has published a statement on the EU's arbitration action, co-signed by more than 30 NGOs across the UK and Europe. It accuses the EU of "abysmally failing its own environmental obligations" and "sending out an appalling message to the rest of the world."
The statement read: "NGOs across the UK and EU are outraged that the European Commission continues to contest the UK and Scottish governments’ decision to close sandeel fishing in the English waters of the North Sea and all Scottish waters as a crucial measure to support marine biological diversity, particularly for the UK’s struggling populations of globally important seabirds. The move by the EU not only challenges the UK’s ability to deliver ecosystem recovery but contributes to the EU abysmally failing to meet its own environmental obligations.
"Announced as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity's COP16 opened in full swing, the EU is sending an appalling message to the rest of the world. Instead of fighting a key ecosystem recovery measure, the Commission should be supporting it in the interest of turning around the health of our beleaguered seas.
"Sandeels are a low trophic level species that play a key role in ensuring an abundance of biodiversity in the marine environment. They provide a vital food source to vulnerable seabirds, commercially and recreationally important fish species such as cod, haddock, whiting and Atlantic Salmon, and marine mammals including seals, porpoises, and whales.
"Collectively we remain in support of this closure and commend the UK in this crucial decision to contribute towards achieving national and international biodiversity targets. We support the UK in standing strong and urge the Commission to reconsider its position."
The National Trust, which manages the Farne Islands, added in a separate statement: "From a National Trust perspective, we've been supportive (and continue to be) of the RSPB who have been leading on this area."
Duncan Hutt, director of conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust also added: "Sand eels are such an important part of our marine ecosystems that it is vital that we take action to take steps to protect them.
"In this way we will help support other marine wildlife as well as our incredible local seabird colonies. It is disappointing to see challenges made to measures that are there for the long-term health of our marine wildlife."
Regarding the closure of sandeel fisheries, the EU directed ChronicleLive to a statement issued earlier in the year. It read: "This measure significantly restricts access for EU vessels to this fishery.
"The EU questions the compatibility of the full and permanent closure of the fishery with the principles and obligations under the TCA. Under the TCA, the EU and UK have agreed to apply evidence-based, proportionate and non-discriminatory measures for the conservation of marine living resources.
"The EU remains committed to cooperate with the United Kingdom to achieve these aims. Cooperation between the EU and the UK under the TCA has evolved positively, including under the Specialised Committee on Fisheries, and the EU remains open to reaching a mutually agreeable solution with the UK that settles this matter."