The Danish Fishermen’s Association is optimistic about the nation’s commercial fisheries 2024 following on from this week’s AGRIFISH Council. Photo: DFPO
The final quotas for fishing in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat have been established. This means that fishing opportunities for 2024 are now determined, and overall, Danish Fishers PO is optimistic about the development of commercial fishing in the new year.
Svend-Erik Andersen, Chairman of the Danish Fishers PO, expressed positivity about the prospects for 2024: “Overall, things look positive for fishing in 2024. The fish stocks in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and partly in Kattegat are developing positively. This is confirmed by the biological advice, which forms the basis for fishing quotas. Therefore, I am pleased that quotas are increased for several important stocks.”
Progress for Key Species
Danish fisheries can anticipate significant quota increases for species such as cod, saithe, and haddock in the North Sea and Skagerrak. These are crucial species, and the news is welcomed by the fishing industry
“The new quotas are a significant boost for fishing. It means we can provide more environmentally friendly and healthy food to a market where demand is only growing. This is particularly positive, especially for the port communities where fishing plays a special role,” added Svend-Erik Andersen.
Fishing in Kattegat
The Council, in its meeting in Brussels, has approved the fishing agreements that the EU has entered into with Norway and the UK. The EU has also set its own quotas, such as the cod quota in Kattegat. A bycatch quota for cod has been established, allowing the vital Norway lobster fishing in Kattegat to continue.
“It is important that Denmark and Minister Jacob Jensen have worked to secure a bycatch quota for cod in Kattegat, as we have had in recent years. This is crucial for Norway lobster fishing in Kattegat, where the bycatch of cod is extremely limited,” stated Svend-Erik Andersen.
It is also positive that the quota for sole in Skagerrak and Kattegat was not reduced to the extent proposed by the EU Commission, and instead, they have followed the biological advice.
Pressure on Gillnet Fishing
Unfortunately, it appears that Danish gillnet fishing is facing another setback. The Danish Fishermen’s Association had hoped to at least continue the current very restrictive rules for when eel fishing is allowed. However, the Council has agreed to additional tightening, posing a serious threat to gillnet fishing, which will face a six-month closure period in 2024. There is an option to open fishing for 30 days if the countries around the Baltic Sea can agree on when eel fishing is permitted.
“It is regrettable that the EU Commission sees it as a goal to limit the coastal and historical gillnet fishing. Unfortunately, we have ended up in a situation where eel fishing is not allowed in September either,” commented Svend-Erik Andersen.
“I am afraid that gillnet fishing will collapse now that they have to go through another season without catching eels. It is really unfortunate, especially since there are many other factors putting more pressure on the eel population than fishing. It is my hope that, from a political perspective, support will be provided to the economy in gillnet fishing, and at the same time, an agreement can be reached on how to schedule the 30 days when eel fishing is allowed,” he added.
Source: Press Release
