The 2025 sand eel season, which ended in early August, turned out to be a tough one for Denmark’s fishmeal industry. The main reason: British waters remain closed to sand eel fishing, cutting off access to critical raw materials.
According to Marine Ingredients Denmark (MID), factories received 85,101 tons of sand eel this year – about 5,000 tons less than in 2024. The drop highlights the difficulties for vessels that cannot fish in British waters.
Better use of the quota
But there were also some positive signs. MID reports that the European quota for sand eel in 2025 was set at 110,078 tons, and even though total landings were slightly below last year, the quota was used much more efficiently.
Danish vessels landed 85,101 tons, while another 20,187 tons were landed in Norway. Together, that added up to 96% of the quota – a big step up from 2024, when only about 60% was landed.
This shows that Europe’s sand eel fleet has adapted quickly, despite the restrictions.
A structural challenge ahead
Still, Marine Ingredients Denmark stresses that the closure of British waters is no longer seen as a temporary setback. It has become a structural change that will shape the future of sand eel fishing.
The organisation points out that the challenge now is to balance responsible management of the stock with a steady supply of raw material for the industry. That will require scientific input and continued dialogue between policymakers, fishermen, and processing plants.
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