Danish fishermen are happy with the ICES advice on increased fishing opportunities for 2024, says DFA Chairman, Svend-Erik Andersen. Photo Danish Fishermen’s Association
On Friday 30 June 2023, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) released the scientific advice for the fish stocks in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat for 2024.
The advice shows that the positive development of recent years in the North Sea and Skagerrak continues, and the majority of fish stocks are still growing. This has brought optimism to the fishing industry, according to the Danish Fishermen’s Association.
“It is positive that the positive development continues for a wide range of important fish stocks such as cod, haddock, and whiting. It aligns perfectly with what we experience at sea. I expect the advice to be reflected in next year’s fishing quotas so that we can catch even more fish. It will be good for the fishing industry, the supply of healthy and climate-friendly food, and the many fishing harbours,” says Svend-Erik Andersen, Chairman of the Danish Fishermen’s Association.
Record number of haddock
In recent years, the fishing industry has observed a historically large stock of haddock.
So many that the Danish Fishermen’s Association is calling for an immediate increase in this year’s haddock quota.
“There is no doubt that there are a lot of haddock in the North Sea, Kattegat, and Skagerrak. ICES confirms this with their advice once again, and I urge that the haddock quota be raised now. Since biologists say that there is room for a fishery twice as large as the current quota, the quota can be significantly increased without compromising the sustainable exploitation of the stock,” says Svend-Erik Andersen.
Awaiting cod
ICES has not yet finalized the recommendations for the cod quota in the North Sea and Skagerrak, which is one of the most important species for Danish fishing. This advice is expected to be published on September 19 later this year.
In the Danish Fishermen’s Association, the expectation is that an increase will also be anticipated here. Last year, ICES initially recommended a 44 percent increase in the cod quota in the North Sea and Skagerrak. ICES subsequently adjusted this recommendation as the stock was even better than initially estimated. Therefore, it ended up with a recommendation of 63 percent. The Danish Fishermen’s Association believes that this trend will continue.
“I expect that ICES will recommend a further increase in the cod quota in the North Sea and Skagerrak in September. We see many cod, and I am convinced that the stock is significantly improving. Therefore, I look forward to seeing the recommendations because the cod quota is crucial for fishing in the North Sea and Skagerrak.
In addition to the cod quota in the North Sea and Skagerrak, recommendations for Norway lobster and Norway lobster will also be announced later this year.
Challenges in Kattegat
In Kattegat, fishing is challenged by the poor condition of the cod stock over several years. Despite not specifically targeting cod and far from fully utilizing the bycatch quota for cod, the situation has not changed. This calls for addressing other pressure factors, according to Svend-Erik Andersen.
“It is unfortunate that we are heading into another year without a cod quota in Kattegat. We do not specifically fish for the stock and have not done so for several years. Yet, the stock is not growing. This calls for looking at factors other than fishing. It includes seals, cormorants, pollution, and nutrient discharge from land and cities. It is a prerequisite for getting the stock back on track,” says Svend-Erik Andersen.
The recommendations from ICES serve as a basis for negotiations on fishing opportunities for EU fishermen in 2024, which will take place at the Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels in December.
Source: Press Release