A 40-year ban on fishing near Harboøre Tange on the west coast of Denmark has been scrapped, sparking strong protests from local politicians in Mid Jutland and the town of Lemvig.
The area is still heavily polluted with toxic waste from the former Cheminova chemical plant.
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Local politicians warn of health risks
From 1 July 2025, it has once again been legal to catch fish and shellfish along parts of Harboøre Tange, including Knopper Enge, nearby lagoons, and offshore waters from groyne 39 to 45.
The ban also affected parts of an area known as Nissum Bredning. The decision was taken by Food Minister Jacob Jensen (V) as part of a broader deregulation effort.
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The move has alarmed regional leaders. Bent Graversen, chair of the Regional Development Committee in Mid Jutland, described it as “deeply concerning,” given that “the area remains contaminated with many toxic substances.”
“Unreasonable and risky”
In Lemvig, Steffen Damsgaard (V), chair of the local environment committee, described the lifting of the ban as both “unreasonable” and “risky.” He stressed that heavy metals and other hazardous chemicals are still present:
“It makes no sense to remove a fishing ban while there is still a risk in eating the fish caught there,” he said.
Both the municipality and the region have urged the minister to rethink the decision. They are offering to support new studies of pollution.
Ministry defends decision
The Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries has defended the change. It points out that EU law already prevents the sale of fish containing contaminants above safety limits.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration will also continue to issue health warnings about any risks associated with consuming fish from the area.
For now, however, the signs warning people not to fish at one of Denmark’s most notorious pollution sites have disappeared — leaving local politicians and residents uneasy.