EU Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, Costas Kadis and his team meeting with Danish fisheries leaders In Brussels yesterday
Danish Sector Outlines Mounting Pressures Directly To EU Commissioner
The directors of two leading Danish fishing organisations have met EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis to discuss the mounting challenges facing the Danish fishing industry. Kenn Skau Fischer, director of the Danish Fisheries Association, and Esben Sverdrup-Jensen, director of the Danish Pelagic Producers’ Organization, travelled to Brussels on Thursday, 06 November to present industry concerns directly to the Commissioner.
According to a statement from Commissioner Kadis, the meeting focused on the continued decline of Baltic fisheries, the need to secure stable access to traditional fishing areas and the sector’s wider policy priorities. In a post on X, Commissioner Kadis said the talks offered “good discussions with representatives of the Danish fisheries sector on the rebuilding of Baltic fisheries, fishing opportunities and stability in access to traditional fishing grounds”.
He added that they also “looked at key priorities ahead, including the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy, fleet modernisation, and our ongoing commitment to simplification”, concluding that “working together, we can secure a sustainable, fair and resilient future for Europe’s fisheries”.
Danish Delegates Welcome Direct Engagement With Brussels
Following the meeting, Kenn Skau Fischer said he was encouraged that Commissioner Kadis took the time to hear the concerns of the Danish fishing industry. He stated that a large proportion of the rules governing Danish fishermen originate from EU legislation, making dialogue with Brussels essential.
Mr Skau Fischer said: “A large part of the rules that Danish fishermen must comply with are set in the EU. Therefore, it is crucial to have a close and ongoing dialogue between the industry and the decision-makers in Brussels. I am pleased that we were given the opportunity to present our challenges directly to the Commissioner – and that earlier this year he took the time to visit the fishermen in both Hirtshals and Skagen. I see this as a clear recognition of the role of Danish fisheries in Europe.”
Tweeting on X after the meeting, Esben Sverdrup-Jensen thanked Commissioner Kadis for “a great exchange of views, challenges and ideas”.
Sector Concerns Centre On Access, Quotas And Declining Stocks
The Danish industry has been grappling with years of shrinking quotas, severe pressure in the Baltic Sea and uncertainty over long-term access to key fishing grounds. Thursday’s meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the cumulative impact of these issues and the need for workable long-term solutions.
The presence of both the demersal and pelagic sectors underlined shared concerns across fleet segments. While no concrete commitments were announced, the Danish organisations indicated that the Commissioner’s willingness to engage directly with the sector was an important step given the policy changes expected under the forthcoming evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy.
Dialogue Expected To Continue As Policy Reviews Advance
Commissioner Kadis’s reference to fleet modernisation, simplification and the CFP evaluation suggests that the European Commission sees the Danish sector as a significant stakeholder in shaping the next phase of fisheries management. For Danish vessel owners, who argue that regulatory pressure and economic uncertainty have intensified in recent years, continued engagement will be essential.
Further meetings are expected as the EU moves forward with its policy reviews and as discussions on the future of Baltic fisheries gain urgency.
