Danish fishing rights for key pelagic species in 2026 are heavily concentrated among a small number of vessels and companies, with Faroese-linked and large industrial players holding dominant positions across blue whiting, horse mackerel, boarfish and mackerel.
The four largest companies control up to 97.6% of blue whiting rights. At the same time, just four firms also hold more than 80% of mackerel quotas, underlining a highly consolidated structure in the Danish pelagic sector.
Blue whiting dominated by Faroese-linked operators
Blue whiting fishing rights are led by vessels HG 62 Beinur and HG 265 Asbjørn, each holding around 30% of the quota.
Together with S 264 Astrid, three companies linked to Faroese ownership account for 61.8% of total rights.
In contrast, Swedish-owned firms hold just 17.8%, a relatively low share compared with other species.
The fishery takes place in the North Atlantic west of the British Isles and around the Faroe Islands, mainly using pelagic trawls.
Horse mackerel and boarfish led by single vessels
Horse mackerel rights are dominated by E 349 Cattleya from Esbjerg, which holds 40.7% of the quota.
The same vessel also leads boarfish with a 34% share, closely matched by Astrid, which holds similar holdings in both fisheries.
Swedish-owned companies account for 34.2% of horse mackerel rights and 42.3% of boarfish, while Faroese-linked firms hold 30% and 23.7% respectively.
Horse mackerel is mainly caught in the English Channel, while boarfish is fished around Ireland.
Mackerel quotas are also concentrated
Mackerel rights follow a similar pattern. Four companies control 80.2% of the total quota.
The largest shares are held by S 264 Astrid and HG 333 Isafold, each with 21.8%, followed by HG 265 Asbjørn and HG 62 Beinur.
Swedish-owned vessels account for 31.2% of mackerel rights.
The fishery takes place in the North Sea and the wider North Atlantic, using pelagic trawl and purse seine gear.
Fishing rights can be traded, leased or swapped between companies. This means actual catches may differ from formal quota shares in a given year.