Conservationists take UK to court for ‘illegally squandering’ fish stocks

For the third year in a row, UK ministers have agreed to set at least half of the catch limits for shared fish stocks above what scientists have advised. Photograph: Monty Rakusen/Getty Images

The UK government’s decision to set catch limits for fish populations above those recommended by scientific advice is to be challenged in the courts by marine conservationists who accuse ministers of breaking their own post-Brexit rules.

The legal challenge, expected to start in January, will argue that the government is “illegally squandering” a public asset and going against laws aimed at improving sustainable fishing.