Danish fishermen are urging politicians to reject calls for a complete ban on cod fishing in the North Sea.
The demand on LinkedIn comes after new advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which recommends a zero quota.
Fishermen warn of collapse in industry
The Danish Fishermen’s Association (DFPO) says that cod is an unavoidable bycatch in the North Sea. Without a quota, they warn, fishing will collapse.
But they stress this does not mean the cod stock itself would collapse. On the contrary, ICES’ own models show that stocks could grow even with limited fishing.
According to the data, the southern cod stock is expected to increase by 28% despite continued fishing. The north-western stock could rise by 9%, while the Viking stock could remain stable, all within safe biological limits.
A call for balance
Industry leaders argue that a “zero quota” is not a solution but a threat to jobs, food supply and Europe’s security of supply. Instead, they call for a more nuanced approach that protects cod stocks while allowing controlled fishing.
“It is not about either/or,” DFPO argues. “It is about finding the balance.”