Record year for Danish fishing fleet

Published: 08 June, 2012

DANISH fishing vessels earned a record 3.2 billion Danish kroners (around £358-million) figures show. The main reason appears to be the steady rise in the price of white fish over the past 12 months.

The news has given the industry a new feeling of optimism despite uncertainty over quotas and other issues. In fact, catch values have increased by seven per cent on the 2010 figures which was also a very good year for the Danish fleet. Danish fishing sources say that the price of fish caught for human consumption has gone up by 22 per cent over the last few years and it is thought that MSC certification has helped to push up levels. However, the picture for those vessels which go out in search of fish for fish oil and fish meal is not so good. Fishing activity has gone down by 17 per cent and a reduction in the quota of certain pelagic species is adding further concern among vessel owners.

As a member of the European Union, the Danish fisheries sector depends entirely on the conditions and the quotas decided by the EU Common Fisheries Policy. It is also one of the larger fisheries nations in Europe and the fisheries sector is regulated by the European resource and conservation policy, which dates back to 1983, when the total allowable catch and quota system was introduced. The Danish fishing fleet comprises around 700 trawlers, over 2,000 gill netters and a small number of purse seiners. Denmark is also a substantial exporter of fish to Europe, with the UK and France among its largest customers.

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