In the latest episode of ‘As the Brexit World Turns,’ the United Kingdom and the European Union have found themselves embroiled in a legal spat over—wait for it—sand eels. Yes, you heard that right. Not cod, not haddock, but sand eels. These little critters have become the unlikely stars of the first post-Brexit courtroom drama between the UK and the EU.

So, what’s all the fuss about? Back in March, the UK decided to ban fishing for sand eels in its North Sea waters, citing concerns over the marine ecosystem. Apparently, sand eels are quite the delicacy for puffins and other seabirds, and the Brits thought it best to leave them off the menu—for humans, at least. Environmentalists cheered, puffins rejoiced, and all seemed well in the kingdom.

🐟 Sand eels are not just lunch for a puffin… they also sparked the first post-Brexit courtroom trade battle

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And UKICE's @joelreland is quoted in The Guardian on how the sand eels Vs EU row risks polluting the wider UK-EU relationship

👇https://t.co/DbIfnvrCdu

— UK in a Changing Europe (@UKandEU) January 28, 2025

Enter the European Union, stage left. The EU, with Denmark leading the charge (since they hold a whopping 96% of the EU’s sand eel quota), wasn’t too pleased with this move. They argued that the UK’s ban was discriminatory and violated the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) that both parties signed during the Brexit divorce proceedings. Formal negotiations went nowhere, so off to court they went, with the legal showdown kicking off on January 28 in The Hague.

Now, let’s take a step back and appreciate the irony here. After years of heated debates, referendums, and negotiations over Brexit, the first major legal battle between the UK and the EU is over a fish that most people wouldn’t recognize if it swam up and slapped them in the face. You can’t make this stuff up.

The UK’s defense? They claim the ban is non-discriminatory and rooted in scientific evidence about the ecological importance of sand eels. The EU, on the other hand, argues that the ban unfairly restricts access for EU fishing vessels, particularly those from Denmark, and breaches the TCA. The tribunal’s decision, expected by late April, could uphold the ban or deem it a breach, potentially leading to EU retaliation if the ban isn’t lifted.

This legal tussle puts the UK’s Labour government in a bit of a pickle. On one hand, lifting the ban could anger environmentalists and those who supported Brexit to regain control over British waters. On the other hand, maintaining the ban might strain relations with the EU, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer is keen to improve. It’s a classic case of being stuck between a rock and a hard place—or in this case, between a puffin and a Danish fisherman.

As we await the tribunal’s verdict, one can’t help but marvel at the complexities of international relations. Who knew that a tiny fish could cause such a big splash? It’s a reminder that in the post-Brexit world, even the smallest issues can have significant political implications. So, stay tuned, folks. This sand eel saga is far from over.