LONDON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Kingdom (UK) government said on Friday that it would respect the ruling of an international arbitration tribunal, which found that the UK had not fully complied with post-Brexit rules when it closed English waters to European Union (EU) fishing vessels.
In a statement, the UK government pledged to take steps "in good faith" to fulfill its obligations under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), while continuing efforts to protect the environment and marine life.
The case centered on whether the UK's March 2024 ban on fishing for sandeels in North Sea waters violated the TCA. The tribunal concluded that the UK failed to adequately consider the rights of EU fishers when it imposed the closure of English waters. However, it found that the closure of Scottish waters was lawful and in compliance with the agreement.
The sandeel fishing ban, introduced jointly by the UK and Scottish governments, aimed to safeguard seabirds and marine biodiversity in the North Sea, including the ecologically sensitive Dogger Bank region. Following unsuccessful negotiations, the EU referred the matter to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in October 2024.
Although the tribunal ruled partially against the UK, it did not mandate that English waters be reopened to EU fishing vessels. "We welcome the clarity provided by this decision," a government spokesperson said. "We will undertake a process in good faith to bring the UK into compliance on the specific issues raised by the tribunal."
The spokesperson emphasized the UK's continued commitment to environmental protection: "We remain committed to protecting our seabirds and the wider marine environment, in accordance with our commitments under the TCA and other international agreements."
The UK government characterized the ruling as a routine aspect of international relations: "Disputes and the use of resolution mechanisms are a normal part of a mature relationship with international partners. We will continue to act in the national interest as we work towards a strong and lasting partnership with our European neighbours."
The European Union welcomed the tribunal's decision, expressing a desire for a "mutually beneficial fisheries relationship" with the UK. However, European Commission fisheries spokesperson Maciej Berestecki said that London must now formally notify Brussels of the steps it plans to take to comply with the ruling, according to local media reports.
The ruling comes just weeks ahead of a key UK-EU summit scheduled for May 19, where both sides are expected to discuss resetting bilateral ties.
