RSPB Scotland welcomes government consultation to end sandeel fishing
RSPB Scotland has hailed the launch of a consultation by Scottish Government to bring sandeel fishing in Scottish waters to an end as a momentous opportunity for our struggling seabird populations, and marine environment. The conservation charity is launching an e-action where people can add their voice in support of this in the coming days.
Scottish Government is seeking to fully prohibit industrial sandeel fishing in Scottish waters in line with their longstanding position to not support it. Sandeels are an important part of healthy marine life and this activity has been harming wildlife for decades, with RSPB Scotland and some fishing communities calling for its end. These small fish are a vital food source for many of our internationally important seabirds especially during the breeding season when they are foraging for food for their chicks, and their removal exacerbates the other human created pressures our seabirds face.
The consultation was launched today and is now open for comment for 12 weeks. RSPB Scotland is urging people to show support for the proposal and will be launching an e-action in the coming days where people can make clear they want to see this measure taken forward.
Many of Scotland’s seabird populations have seen huge declines in their numbers due to human created pressures such as climate change, changes to food availability, accidental bycatch in fishing gear, the introduction of invasive species and offshore renewable expansion. Species that are highly dependent on sandeels for food are faring the worst and have suffered frequent and widespread breeding failures; Kittiwakes and Puffins are now threatened with global extinction. The impact of the ongoing Avian Flu (HPAI) outbreak has made the need to stop sandeel fishing even more urgent.
Helen McLachlan, Head of Marine Policy at RSPB Scotland said: “Having campaigned to end industrial sandeel fishing for decades, RSPB Scotland is delighted to see the Scottish Government bring forward this vital consultation, proposing to close Scottish waters to damaging industrial sandeel fishing once and for all. This is a vital action for our marine wildlife and the health of our amazing seas.
“This hugely welcome proposal comes at a critical time. Pressures are increasing in our seas as the recent marine heatwave and latest impact of avian flu show. In the face of these mounting threats, our globally important seabirds face an uncertain future. Taking meaningful action now is more urgent than ever. Ending sandeel fishing is the single greatest thing we can do right now to throw a lifeline to our most threatened species.
“We commend the Cabinet Secretary for recognising that sandeels have a crucial role to play in aiding the health and resilience of our seabirds and other marine wildlife, and also the seas themselves, making good on the Scottish Government’s longstanding commitment to protect them. This will also benefit those who depend on our seas for their livelihoods and improve the overall health of our seas for all.
“We are calling on people across Scotland to join us in supporting this game changing proposal by taking part our e-action which will open soon.”
The proposal would have a minimal impact on Scottish fishing vessels. The vast majority of the thousands of tonnes of sandeels removed from Scottish waters each year is done by industrial trawlers, largely from Denmark to turn them fishmeal and fish oil for use in commercial livestock and aquaculture feed. As well as helping seabirds, a ban would benefit our marine mammals as well as larger fish like Salmon, and commercially targeted stocks such as Haddock and Cod. With this year’s sandeel fishing season already at an end RSPB Scotland hopes the ban will be in place in time to prevent it occurring again in 2024.
As Scotland is home to the majority of the UK’s seabirds, many will benefit from these proposals. Defra consulted earlier this year on introducing a prohibition on sandeel fishing in the English waters of the North Sea. The proposals from both UK and Scottish Governments will bring industrial sandeel fishing to an end around the UK, helping to build resilience in our seas at a critical time.
25 Jul 2023
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