Norway’s deep-sea fleet group Fiskebåt has formally asked the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries to reverse a new ban on Danish seine fishing by vessels over 15 metres off Finnmark, calling the measure disproportionate and poorly justified.
The ban was adopted on 22 December as part of the 2026 harvesting rules. It blocks the use of Danish seine within four nautical miles of the baseline off Finnmark from 1 April to 15 June, between Kinnarodden in the west and Svartnes lighthouse in the east.
Total ban in key fishing grounds
Fiskebåt says the rule amounts to a total ban in a traditional and essential fishing area. It applies to all vessels over 15 metres, regardless of catch mix or the presence of undersized fish.
The organisation argues that Danish seine fishing for cod, haddock and saithe is selective and low impact when current size limits and gear rules are followed.
Calls ban “disproportionate”
According to Fiskebåt, the ban is overly intrusive, poorly targeted and weakly reasoned. It says a general gear ban is a blunt tool that does not align with the goal of sustainable stock management.
Instead, it urges more targeted measures. These include more substantial field presence, better monitoring, more frequent sampling and tighter catch controls.
Warning for industry and jobs
Fiskebåt warns the ban will hit both the fleet and onshore processors hard. The Danish seine fleet is a key supplier of raw material to Finnmark plants during the spring period, it says.
Lower landings could affect jobs, value creation and stability in coastal communities.
Fiskebåt asks the authorities to lift the ban and replace it with rules based on actual undersized-fish bycatch, combined with stronger control and monitoring.