Marine Ingredients Denmark has criticized the U.K. and Scottish governments' decision to halt sandeel fishing in their waters, warning it will significantly impact Denmark and the European Union's fishing and processing sectors. The organization claims the move contradicts the E.U.-U.K. cooperation agreement signed in December 2020 and lacks scientific evidence. The U.K. government plans to permanently close the sandeel fishery in English waters from April 2024, and Scotland is considering a similar ban. The decision has been lauded by policymakers and environmental groups as sandeels are a vital food source for vulnerable seabirds, marine mammals, and commercially important fish species.