Danish authorities launch spring enforcement blitz on deepwater shrimp landing rules in North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat
Spring enforcement campaign targets violations of deepwater shrimp landing obligation in North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat
The Danish Fisheries Agency has announced a strict enforcement campaign focused on shrimp fishing in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat, warning fishermen that compliance with landing obligations will face heightened scrutiny this spring.
The effort follows findings from the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), which highlighted inadequate oversight of landing rules during recent inspections of shrimp fisheries in the Skagerrak. In response, Danish authorities are stepping up control measures to ensure full adherence to EU regulations, particularly for deepwater shrimp, including juvenile specimens.
“The agency has a strong focus on enforcement of landing obligations and on providing clear guidance to fishermen regarding the rules for shrimp fishing in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat,” the Fisheries Agency said in a statement on 8 April.
Under EU law, all catches of deepwater shrimp — including undersized or unsellable specimens — must be landed and counted against Denmark’s national quota. Discarding shrimp at sea is strictly prohibited, even if they do not meet commercial size or quality standards. Instead, all shrimp must be logged, declared upon landing, and, if not destined for human consumption, recorded accordingly in catch declarations and sales notes.
The Fisheries Agency warns that enforcement officers will pay particular attention to compliance at sea from spring 2025 onwards, and that breaches of the landing obligation will be treated as serious offences under Council Regulation (EC) No. 1224/2009, Article 90(1).
Violations will be met with sanctions, including potential penalty points under the EU points system for fisheries offences — a regime that can lead to suspension or withdrawal of fishing licences for repeated breaches.
This crackdown aims to improve quota accounting accuracy and reinforce legal compliance across the fleet. The Agency also emphasised that fishermen failing to follow the rules risk financial penalties and longer-term consequences for their fishing operations.
Source: Press Release
