Impact assessment

Evidence report on the ecosystem impacts from industrial sandeel fishing

Evidence on the ecosystem risks and benefits of full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in UK waters of the North Sea

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 7 March 2023

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

Documents

What are the ecosystem risks and benefits of full prohibition of industrial Sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea (ICES Area IV)?

PDF, 1.92 MB, 61 pages

Details

Defra requested an advice report by expert scientists following a call for evidence on the ecosystem risks and benefits of full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing. The evidence focuses on the UK waters of the North Sea, where sandeel stocks are under pressure from industrial fishing.

Sandeels have been identified as an important forage fish and dietary source for vulnerable seabirds and commercially valuable fish. Ecosystem models were developed to understand the risks and benefits of full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing.

Published 7 March 2023