The chairman of the Danish Fishermen’s Association (Danmarks Fiskeriforening), Svend-Erik Andersen, has warned that Denmark risks losing income and jobs if the country fails to strengthen its food production sector.
He argues that while much of the Danish public debate focuses on reducing food output, global demand for animal protein continues to grow — driven mainly by rising prosperity in Asia.
Fisheries Key to Food Security
Andersen emphasises that Danish fisheries already play a vital role in the global food supply. Research indicates that fish make a positive contribution to both human health and the climate, with trawl-caught fish having a lower environmental footprint compared to land-based or farmed protein sources.
He says maintaining a strong fishing industry is essential not only for export revenues but also for Denmark’s economic well-being.
Call for Core Fishing Zones
To safeguard the industry’s future, Andersen supports a key recommendation from Denmark’s Fisheries Commission: designating “core areas” for fishing.
These zones would guarantee fishers’ continued access to vital grounds amid growing competition for ocean space.
“Such designations will give the industry stability and help ensure we can catch the most fish with the least effort,” Andersen said.
He believes the move would also ease tensions around trawl fishing and secure the sector’s “license to operate” within Denmark’s national sea plan.