The European Fishmeal and Fish Oil Producers (EFFOP) are urging the Scottish government to carefully consider the potential consequences of banning the fishing of sand eels in the country's waters. Europe's sand eel fishery is an important resource for the fishmeal market, and a sudden closure could disrupt supply chains and negatively affect the local economy. While environmental groups support the ban to protect marine wildlife, EFFOP argues that there are already measures in place to protect sand eel populations.