The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (HI) has issued a stern warning against the fishing of sand eels beginning in 2026 due to critically low stock levels across all management areas. The current sand eel population has reached a historic low, having declined continuously from its peak in 2020, despite the fact that fishing has been considerably low over the past three years. The alarming situation signals the potential for long-term impact on marine ecosystems and related fisheries if action is not taken.