EU Court Rules UK Complies with Sandeel Fishing Ban, Future Negotiations Expected

An international arbitration tribunal has delivered a nuanced ruling in the post-Brexit dispute between the UK and the EU over the UK's ban on sandeel fishing in its waters. The tribunal upheld the UK's right to restrict sandeel fishing in Scottish waters, supporting the ecological justification for protecting seabird populations, but found a procedural error in how the ban was applied to English waters, without obliging the UK to reverse the ban. While the EU argued the ban breached trade agreements and discriminated against its fishers, particularly Danish vessels, the court did not find the UK in violation of scientific principles or require immediate policy reversal. The UK government welcomed the ruling, emphasizing its commitment to marine biodiversity and signaling that future negotiations with the EU on fishing rights remain open as the current deal expires next year. Environmental groups praised the decision as a victory for conservation efforts. The case highlights ongoing tensions and the likelihood of further negotiations over fishing access as UK-EU relations evolve.