The European Union (EU) has initiated a dispute with the UK over the latter's ban on sandeel fishing, effective from March 2024. The ban, which prohibits EU vessels from operating in English North Sea and Scottish waters, has been challenged by the EU as a breach of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). Despite attempts for amicable resolution through consultations, no agreement was reached, leading the EU to request the formation of an arbitration tribunal under the TCA. The EU argues that the ban is non-compliant with the TCA's principles of non-discrimination, proportionality, and scientific evidence, and contradicts the commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability shared by both parties.