Marine Ingredients Denmark has welcomed the Danish government’s proposals for shaping the future of the country’s fisheries as a step towards balancing concern for the environment with ensuring sustainable fisheries while supporting the fishing industry and coastal communities.
A key initiative in the government proposal is the proposal that fishermen can have their expenses related to the CO2 tax refunded until more developed technological solutions for the green transition are found.
‘This initiative is of great importance for the industry, which is already experiencing the consequences of high taxes,’ a Marine Ingredients,’ a Denmark representative stated.
‘Marine Ingredients Denmark welcomes this initiative, as we have argued for the removal of the CO2 tax for Danish and foreign vessels to ensure continued activity in the sector. The latest development shows a significant decrease in the supply of raw materials to our factories. For example, in January 2024, 6550 tonnes of blue whiting were landed, while in January 2025 this figure had fallen to just 3345 tonnes. This development underlines the need to support fisheries in the green transition without undermining its basis for existence.’
The government’s proposal also includes an important recognition of the role of the processing industry in the fisheries value chain. Initiative 21 deals with support for production development and innovation in the processing sector.
‘This is a positive development, as the processing industry plays a crucial role in creating value from the fish caught and ensuring that the blue value chain functions optimally,’ Marine Ingredients Denmark states.
‘We see this as an important step in the right direction. As our chairman, Johannes Palsson, has previously pointed out in a speech to Pariament, the Danish blue value chain is an important sector that not only creates jobs in coastal areas, but also contributes significantly to Denmark’s exports.’
According to Marine Ingredients Denmark, the government’s proposals set the stage for an important political discussion on how Denmark can ensure sustainable fisheries that also supports the businesses and the many jobs that depend on the sector.
‘Marine Ingredients Denmark hopes that the upcoming fisheries negotiations will result in a balanced solution that ensures a healthy marine environment, a stable supply of raw materials and a long-term development of fisheries.’
