The Danish government presented at a press conference today its proposals for the future of the country’s fishing industry, stressing that fisheries are under pressure in many respects and the industry faces challenges.
The proposals include a ban on demersal trawling in the Belt area and parts of the northern Kattegat, plus financial compensation measures for the industry’s costs incurred due to the controversial CO2 tax.
‘Denmark is a proud fishing nation. Fishing plays a major role in local communities along Denmark’s coasts, where it has created local jobs and growth for many years. Fishing is also important for us to continue to have well-functioning food production, which also ensures large export revenues for Denmark. But fishing is facing a number of challenges, and a new course is needed,’ stated Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen.
The government’s claims are that proposed measures focus on finding balanced solutions that contribute significantly to a healthy marine environment and sustainable fish stocks, while maintaining jobs in the fishing industry and growth in coastal communities. Recommendations put forward by the Fisheries Commission constitute a central contribution to the proposals.
The Minister stated that some fish stocks, especially in coastal Danish waters, are struggling due to a marine environment in which the seabed is in poor condition in many places, and biodiversity is declining. This is alongside increased competition for marine space, while Brexit has led to reductions in fishing quotas for Danish fishermen.
The government has presented its proposal for the future of fisheries, which contains 34 initiatives that claims will secure the framework for Danish fisheries.
A key element is the proposal for opportunities to have expenses associated with the CO2 tax refunded until technologies are more developed and the green transition can be realised. Recognising that fishing has limited opportunities for adjustment, the government proposes allocating DKK 391.50 million in targeted support for fishermen tooffset the effects of the Green Tax Reform for Industry, plus an additional DKK 468.50 million to increase the framework under the planned compensation model.
This comes to a total of DKK 860 million, corresponding to the expected tax payment for Danish and foreign fishermen. A compensation model will be established in the period 2025-2029.
‘We want balanced fishing, which must take responsibility for a healthy marine environment and sustainable fish stocks, while at the same time having the best conditions to be able to develop and adapt to the green transition, so that we also have a strong Danish fishing industry in the future,’ Minister Jakob Jensen stated.
