Sandeels in the North Sea

[Seajay]

Does anyone know the current position on the size of stocks of sandeels in the North Sea? I've been looking on the net as I've been worried for a few years about the overfishing and the detrimental affects on sealife and seabirds. All the info seems to be stuck at 2005. I am aware of the Marine Bill but I can't see that coming into effect in this term of office of Parliament. I can't seem to find the TAC for sandeels for 2008 either.

It is also strange that with the predator species cod etc. declining around our shores the sandeel population is still low. Could that be climate warming? The lifespan is quite long, 10 years approx, so I would have thought they would recover quickly.

I believe Scotland has stopped a lot of local sandeel fishing in important areas for both the sandeel and seabirds?

[Geoff F]

Firstly, if you go to the EC fisheries website (English version) you can obtain details of 2007 quota. I don't think the 2008 limits have been officially ratified yet and I can't remember if there was a proposal to make any alterations this year. Like many governmental sites there is a lot of information on the site, if you can find it. Look under TAC and Maps. The address is: ec.europa.eu/fisheries

During 2007, almost all of the Sandeel quota went to Denmark; 19,000 out of 20,000 tons. Most of this was feed to Danish pigs. The amount of tiny cod, whiting, haddock, etc which was also killed in these small meshed sandeel trawls isn't recorded but the Danish authorities have been trying to prevent them from being actually landed as sandeels which is why the total catch has been falling.

The Marine Bill won't do anything about Danish boats because UK legislation can't apply to other nationalities. It would require the return of British waters to the British government before anything could be done about this problem and that isn't likely in the foreseeable future. That is far too sensible an idea for any government to take action. The only thing that the Marine Bill could do is to limit the taking of sandeels by anglers to use as bait, which doesn't make any real difference.

If I can find the proposed 2008 sandeel quota I will return. Also, if anybody requires any more information, please ask.

[Seajay]

Thanks Geoff, I'll have a gander at that. What the Marine Bill may do is put pressure on our government to talk with the Danes (if they haven't already done so) as it directly affects our waters and wildlife. Conservation of species is part of the Bill is it not?
I don't think people have woken to the danger our wildlife is in. All the publicity for whales when there is a potential for a huge disaster on our own doorstep. Can you imagine our coasts like those in the Med? The Farne Islands devoid of birds?

Colin