The EU has requested the establishment of an arbitration tribunal under the dispute settlement mechanism of the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) regarding the United Kingdom’s decision to prohibit sandeel fishing. The tribunal would assess the compatibility of this measure with the TCA.

Since 26 March 2024, this prohibition applies to fishing in English waters of the North Sea and all Scottish waters, restricting EU vessels from accessing the sandeel fishery. The EU has questioned the alignment of this ban with the TCA and, in April 2024, initiated consultations with the UK to seek a mutually acceptable resolution. With consultations concluding without an agreement, the EU remains open to one, and the next step in the dispute settlement process is the establishment of an arbitration tribunal.

When managing shared resources, the EU and UK are expected to make non-discriminatory, proportionate decisions based on the best available scientific evidence. Fishing opportunities for sandeel are established based on scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, which supports sustainable stock management. The EU is committed to promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability, acting to protect and restore marine ecosystems under the common fisheries policy, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and in line with TCA obligations.

The Sandeel season ended in July, concluding a challenging year for the fishery with no access to fishing in UK waters where the EU fishery has traditionally taken place. This year EFFOP estimates that the total EU uptake was 90,000 tonnes, 72% of the allocation.

EFFOP expresses its full support for the EU’s recent request to initiate an arbitration tribunal under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) framework.

MID er indgået i et nyt forskningsprojekt i samarbejde med DTU om STICKMAN-projektet, der har til formål at undersøge bæredygtig produktion af fiskemel og fiskeolie fra trepigget hundestejle. Denne lille fiskeart har oplevet en markant vækst i bestanden i Østersøen, og MID vil lede en del af projektet, der skal sikre, at fremtidigt fiskeri efter stimefisk sker på en biologisk og økonomisk bæredygtig måde, til gavn for både miljøet og fiskeindustrien.

Østersøen gennemgår i øjeblikket betydelige havbiologiske ændringer som følge af klimaforandringer og menneskelige aktiviteter. Bestanden af tidligere dominerende arter såsom torsk og sild er faldet kraftigt, mens trepigget hundestejle har spredt sig. Denne udvikling skaber både udfordringer og nye muligheder for fiskeriforvaltningen. STICKMAN-projektet forsøger at udnytte denne mulighed ved at udvikle et fiskeri, der både er økonomisk levedygtigt og biologisk forsvarligt, og som samtidig fremmer balancen i Østersøens marine økosystem.

Projektets fokus er at undersøge mulighederne for at etablere et målrettet fiskeri efter trepigget hundestejle baseret på en økosystembaseret tilgang. Gennem videnskabelig dokumentation og fokus på bæredygtighed skal projektet sikre, at dette nye fiskeri følger bedste praksis for miljøforvaltning og sikrer langsigtet levedygtighed.

Sæsonen for tobisfiskeri sluttede i begyndelsen af august og markerede et udfordrende år for industrien. I alt modtog MID’s fabrikker 89.000 tons råmateriale, hvilket er en reduktion på 50.000 tons i forhold til sidste års landinger. Dette fald understreger de vanskeligheder, som sektoren har stået over for i år, hvor de britiske farvande er blevet lukket for tobisfiskeri.

Kvoten for dette års tobis-sæson blev fastsat til 150.579 tons for det danske fiskeri. De faktiske landinger nåede dog ikke op på denne mængde, idet der blev landet 69.000 tons, hvilket svarer til ca. 46 % af den tildelte kvote, der blev udnyttet.

En væsentlig faktor i de reducerede landinger i denne sæson var lukningen af britiske farvande. Disse farvande har traditionelt været vigtige for danske fiskere, da de giver adgang til vigtige fiskepladser. Begrænsningen har gjort det nødvendigt at udforske alternative fiskeriområder, hvilket kan have resulteret i de lavere fangstrater, der er observeret. I fremtiden vil fokus sandsynligvis skifte til at evaluere indvirkningen af de lavere landinger på forsyningskæden, herunder produktionen af fiskemel og tilgængeligheden af foder til akvakultur. Der forventes en formel diskussion i efteråret mellem EU og Storbritannien om sidstnævntes seneste handlinger vedrørende vilkårene i Brexit-aftalen. Vi forventer yderligere udvikling fra disse diskussioner, og hvordan det vil påvirke det fremtidige fiskeri.

Tobissæsonen startede i år den 1. april, og de vilkår, der gælder for tobisfiskeriet i 2024, kan læses i bekendtgørelse om straksregulering nr. 15 på Fiskeristyrelsens hjemmeside klik her. 

ICES’ rådgivning for fangst af tobis i hvert forvaltningsområde i 2024 kan læses og downloades fra ICES’ hjemmeside klik her. 

Tobisskrabeturen, som DTU Aqua gennemførte i november-december 2023, viste en relativt ringe tilførsel af yngel til tobisbestanden. Den samlede danske tobis-kvote i 2024 er 158.096, og det svarer til -12,96% i fiskerimuligheder sammenlignet med sidste år.

Tobis Landet i uge 26 – 10.653 tons

I alt  (14-26) = 75.137 tons

The UK’s proposal to potentially restrict EU fishing access to the Dogger Bank, primarily targeting Sandeel harvesting, is poised to have ripple effects on the EU fishing sector, with implications reaching into the aquafeed and salmon industries. Motivated by a conservation objective for the marine ecosystem, this proposal is expected to significantly strain European aquaculture, exacerbating challenges within the global food security landscape. Our recently published article in the  International aquafeed magazine. Describes the potential closure’s impacts, discusses its relevance for conservation and exploring broader implications for the European feed industry and food security.

The EU’s response to the British consultation on spatial management closures underscores the significance of a science-driven and proportionate approach in Sandeel fisheries management. The existing management framework relies on scientific guidance from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), a key contributor of scientific advice for EU fisheries. This approach has additional support through environmental certifications such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and MarinTrust. Both certifications have previously endorsed the Sandeel industry, ensuring environmentally sustainable operations with minimal ecological impact. ICES, MSC, and MarinTrust collectively stress the necessity of precautionary measures in Sandeel fishing, advocating for catch quotas based not only on maximum sustainable yield but also on modeling to protect the broader ecosystem.

For further details, you can access the full article here. 

On December 18th, the Danish Pelagic Producers Organization successfully hosted its inaugural pelagic conference, an event dedicated to showcasing  advancements in pelagic science, research, and the commitment to achieving 100% documented fisheries in Denmark. The program encompassed a diverse array of engaging lectures, presentations, and discussions, drawing together perspectives from PhD students, gear specialists, NGOs, and eDNA experts united in their mission to advocate for responsible utilization of our ocean resources.

Dr. James Hinchcliffe, our biologist, delivered a presentation focusing on the strategic importance of marine ingredients in aquaculture. Describing his research experiences, he discussed the challenges associated with replacing fishmeal in formulated aquafeeds. The presentation focused on the nutritional richness of fishmeal and how its substitution can introduce limitations in formulation flexibility, posing inherent challenges in producing high-quality feeds for aquatic species. James also discussed the complexities of developing alternative ingredients, drawing from his own experiences. Achieving the delicate balance necessary for optimal growth and health of aquatic organisms, he highlighted the multifaceted challenges which become inherent in this process when you evaluate the characteristic changes that can occur 1 by 1.

Addressing the formidable challenge of fishmeal replacement, Dr. Hinchcliffe advocated for a strategic approach rather than relying on a singular raw material to challenge the “golden standard” set by fishmeal. By tapping into a diverse pool of “imperfect” sources, Dr. Hinchcliffe highlighted the potential to fully realize the strategic value of marine ingredients. This involves leveraging their superior nutritional quality to provide specific nutrients that are challenging to replace, thereby embracing a holistic strategy for the sustainable advancement of feeds in aquaculture.