Denmark accuses the United Kingdom of violating a fishing agreement that prohibits destructive bottom trawl fishing in the North Sea Reserve after Brexit.
The United Kingdom announced in February that it wanted to ban bottom trawl fishing in the North Sea Doge Beach Reserve. Welcomed by environmentalists Hope to see the revival of halibut, sharks and rays in the sandbanks once rich in marine life.
In an interview with The Guardian, Danish Fisheries Minister Rasmus Prehn stated that such plans are not in line with the post-Brexit agreement.
“The Brexit Agreement ensures full access [for EU vessels] It will not be possible to fish in British waters until 2026. So, of course, if the British government wants to change this situation, this is a very big problem for us. We think this is unacceptable and it violates our agreement,” he said.
This accusation opened a new front for the British government, which has already been involved in a Hatred dispute with France Regarding fishing rights, in a broader context Tensions with the EU after Brexit.
According to the Danish government, Dogger Bank is a large shallow sandbank located about 90 miles northeast of the Humber Estuary. It has been fished by Danish ships for centuries and is one of the most important fishing grounds in the country.
Under Brexit Trade Cooperation Agreement On Christmas Eve last year, there was a conflict between the EU and the United Kingdom. EU fishermen can continue to enter British waters as before until June 30, 2026. This is a transition to postpone the impact of future reductions in fishing rights.
The agreement also promises both parties to “promote the long-term sustainability of 70 common fish species in shared waters.”
Prehn said that Danish fishermen “because Brexit is already in a very difficult situation, so it will be more difficult for them, and we can’t really accept this.”
Although he said it is too early to discuss potential retaliation, he is disappointed that the relationship between Britain and Denmark has deteriorated since Brexit.
“It’s really difficult to reach an agreement. Just a year later, we ran into these problems with a part; it’s not really acceptable, it’s not the way we usually reach an agreement. We have maintained a very good relationship with the UK in the past. Relationship,” Plein said.
His speech in Brussels comes as the United Kingdom and the European Union are embarking on a final round of negotiations to set fishing limits for 2022 before the December 10 deadline.
Denmark and the United Kingdom joined the then European Economic Community together in 1973, but Coming too late to influence the first version of the Common Fisheries Policy, Leaving a lingering resentment on British officials.
From 2013 to 2020, Danish fishermen obtained 27 million Danish kroner (3.05 million pounds) from bottom trawl fishing in Dogger Bank each year, mainly sand eels, used in fish farms, but also puffins and three-toeds. An important food source for gulls and seals.
Germany and the Netherlands also have fisheries rights in Doge Bank, and environmentalists claim that trawlers and dredgers have overused the area, causing a sharp decline in the number of fish.
Bottom trawl fishing involves dragging heavy nets on the seafloor.
Environmentalists welcomed the government’s decision to protect Doge Bank, but stated that the UK needs to show the same effort when it comes to protecting the fish targeted by British fishermen.
Irene Kingma, a Dutch marine biologist, said: “The UK is proposing a courageous and cost-effective deal with Dogger Bank.” “It’s also very easy… when you are not affecting your fishery. “
“As long as they don’t interfere with their own fishing interests, the UK is very advanced on all environmental issues,” she added. “They are good at [protecting] Dogger Bank, because its flounder is caught by the Dutch, they are good at industrial fisheries [sandeel] Because it was fishing by the Danes. But when it was a Scottish fishing boat, they were very reluctant to transfer cod. “
The British government rejected its claims of violating the TCA, saying that it allowed both parties to make decisions on regulatory measures. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “The UK is a global leader in protecting the oceans. As an independent coastal country, the UK can determine the regulatory measures applicable to fishing in our waters, including measures to follow scientific advice and protection Our marine environment.”
