When trawlers head out to fish for langoustine in the Kattegat, the majority of the will be working with camera surveillance systems on board. 50 fishermen have voluntarily agreed to be monitored so that the Danish Fisheries Agency can observe their catches and check that they comply with the rules.
‘This clearly demonstrates that a voluntary approach works. Instead of making monitoring mandatory, the way forward is to cooperate with the industry. The fishermen are responsible and have nothing to hide – they want to be involved as long as there are good incentives and proper conditions,’ said Svend-Erik Andersen, chairman of the Danish Fishermen’s PO, which has been pushing since 2019 for a voluntary scheme.
There has been resentment of being forced to work with cameras on board and a report from the University of Southern Denmark also determined that it has had negative consequences for the fishermen’s psychological working environment. But it is only now that Fisheries Minister Jacob Jensen has taken the step of making this a voluntary scheme.
‘Fisheries Minister Jacob Jensen deserves credit for daring to take the initiative for a voluntary scheme despite criticism from several green organisations and left-wing parties. Voluntary agreements are often criticised for not working, but that definitely does not apply to fisheries. No one can doubt that now,’ Svend-Erik Andersen said.
The voluntary scheme had a registration deadline of March 31st and is now underway.
It consists of three groups, with 50 people signing up for Group 1, which involves camera surveillance for control purposes. Five have signed up for Group 2, in which they still have cameras on board, although not for control purposes. Instead, these deliver data to DTU Aqua for research purposes.
There are 15 vessels in Group 3, with no cameras on board, although several of these vessels are not currently fishing and their owners have not reached a final decision.
