NGOs' letter - Support to the UK closure of industrial sandeel fishing

Several marine NGOs wrote a letter to Commissioner Kadis to express their concerns regarding the Commission’s recent decision to request an arbitration tribunal under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement concerning the UK closure of industrial sandeel fishing in English waters of the North Sea and all Scottish waters. The UK sandeel closure is scientifically recognised as a critical conservation measure and a vital step to secure seabirds’ food source and build the resilience of marine ecosystems. NGOs urge the Commissioner to review the EU’s position and to formally withdraw the request for arbitration tribunal.