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SEAFOOD

DENMARK IS A LEADING HUB FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND INNOVATION WITHIN FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

A country in touch with the sea

Surrounded by ocean, Denmark has an age-old tradition for being a nation of fishers. From small beginnings, the Danish fishing industry has grown into a thriving platform for fisheries, aquaculture and processing – not to mention the seafood trade in partnership with Greenland and the Faroe Islands as a united Kingdom of Denmark.

This is the backdrop to Denmark’s ranking as the largest seafood exporter in the EU and a leading supplier of technology and knowhow for fisheries, aquaculture and the processing sector. The fishing industry draws on a strong Danish tradition of high quality food production and strict requirements from the industry. The suppliers excel within efficiency, food safety and hygiene.

Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs are a guiding light for establishing best food production practices, prioritising research and development efforts and identifying innovation targets that will drive us towards a sustainable future.

Across the Danish food cluster, companies, organisations and stakeholders aim to make an active contribution.

FROM SMALL FISHING NATION TO SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD LEADER

INNOVATION AND RESOURCEFULNESS IN THE FACE OF CONSTANT CHANGE

Denmark has a global reputation for responsible fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing

With almost 8,600 kilometres of coastline and covering the seas around Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the Kingdom of Denmark was always destined to be a nation of fishermen. Today, our country’s age-old fishing heritage has grown into a thriving modern industry, known for wild catch fishing, aquaculture and fish processing and as a global hub for the seafood trade.

Denmark’s aquaculture sector has existed since the late 1800s, becoming a world-leading player from an early stage. In the 1970s, recognition of the environmental impact led to the enforcement of strict national regulations. Since then, the sector has undergone a major transformation, starting with the development of the Danish model fish farm and the move towards more land-based facilities.

Photo: Mette Johnsen

Along our coast, the Danish fisheries industry operates as an efficient, cooperative community, providing specialised employment at many levels – from the crews of the fishing vessels to the providers of maritime equipment and technology. Working with national authorities and researchers as well as international partners, the goal is to ensure the highest standards of sustainability and traceability in line with the fishing quotas laid down by the EU. Such collaboration also helps to prepare the industry for future demands. This includes developing our fishing fleet, today the most digitalised in the world.

Following continuous technological innovation, Denmark now has a global reputation for sustainable fish production based on recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) and other technologies with a minimal environmental footprint.

RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES IN HARMONY WITH THE WILD STOCKS

THE COORDINATED EFFORT TO PROTECT QUALITY AND THE OCEAN

Danish technology is behind a new age of speed and efficiency in the fisheries industry – with a sustainable mindset in front.

Danish fisheries have made tangible progress towards improving the sustainability of their operations.

The Danish fisheries industry is constantly working to reduce energy consumption. Initiatives include the implementation of electronic power management programmes, energy-optimised engines and specially designed propellers with a lower rotation speed. On vessels with electric winches, the excess energy from wiring is stored in large batteries.

Since 1990, the industry has reduced its carbon emissions by more than 60%.

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For all stakeholders in the fisheries industry, the conservation of wild fish stocks is both a mutual interest and a sustainability obligation

Danish fishers are playing their part by using specially designed nets that minimise unwanted bycatch and fitting CCTV cameras that can help sort the fish while still in the water

Wild stock conservation and ocean-fresh quality

For all stakeholders in the fisheries industry, the conservation of wild fish stocks is both a mutual interest and a sustainability obligation. According to the National Institute of Aquatic Resources, 68% of the seabed is fully exempt from trawl fishery.

To prevent the discard and waste of undersized fish or unwanted species, the EU enforced a regulation in 2019 that requires all catches to be  landed and counted against the fishers’ quotas. The Danish authorities monitor compliance with the quotas to prevent overfishing.

Close collaboration with the Marine Stewardship Council means Denmark is today a frontrunner for sustainable certification – with more than half of the wild catch bearing the blue MSC label.

On a daily basis, the priority is to preserve the freshness and quality of the catch from the moment it is hauled from the ocean. Onboard cooling systems make a critical difference in this respect, with some vessels also having automated systems to pack fish and shellfish before arrival on land.

A MODEL OF CIRCULARITY WITHIN LAND-BASED AQUACULTURE

RESOURCE-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE FISH FARMS

Since the first model fish farm, Danish recirculation systems have led the world in optimising aquaculture productivity with minimal environmental impact

Denmark’s modern aquaculture sector is founded on respect for the environment. Back in the 1970s, the Danish authorities kickstarted a major transformation by imposing the first anti-pollution regulations. Recognising that the legislation posed a massive challenge, the authorities simultaneously introduced collaborative programmes to facilitate the development of new methodologies for farming fish without harmful emissions.

Over the years, the combined efforts of fish farmers, technology suppliers and universities have produced model fish farms based on the concept of water recirculation. By cleaning the water and feeding most of it back into land-based ponds and tanks, these facilities can produce large volumes of fish in up to 15-100 times less water compared to traditional farms. Modern land based facilities with recirculation of water in Denmark are primarily proficient suppliers of ‘portion size’ fish for consumers and smolt for growout in sea-cage fish farms.

Recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) are a particular Danish strength in this regard. Here, automated monitoring technology manages water quality and feeding programmes tailored to the needs of individual species – safeguarding their health and natural behaviour and optimising productivity.

Danish companies today export RAS equipment and entire facilities to more than 130 countries, where they enable land-based production close to consumers – reducing the climate footprint of fish transport.

Photo: Billund Aqauculture

THE TECHNOLOGY AT THE HEART OF QUALITY AND FOOD SAFETY

RAISING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS BY ADVANCED AUTOMATION

For safe, high-quality seafood production, a fast and efficient process is the bottom line. Danish technology sets international standards.

Danish technology suppliers to the fish and shellfish processing industry have grown up in a tradition for high-quality food production with a sharp focus on food safety and hygiene. Due to the perishability of seafood raw materials, safe and gentle handling is critical. This is where advanced automation makes a difference.

The ability of our processing equipment suppliers to develop new technology in close collaboration with food producers is an important advantage when developing efficient, high-capacity lines that meet the highest standards of quality, food safety and traceability. For the food producers, fine-tuned processes are also key to achieving their environmental targets while helping them stay competitive.

Today, smart automated solutions from Denmark hold a prominent position on the global market. Their innovative technology optimises every processing step, from slaughtering, weighing and grading through gutting, deboning and filleting to packaging, freezing and palletising. Cutting-edge robots are one example of the latest digital advances, designed to secure seafood quality during the canning process.

Danish turnkey solutions meet all needs from beginning to end of the production line – making seafood products ready for dispatch, quickly, safely and with minimal reliance on manual labour. Solutions are also available for efficient by-product handling. In regards to aquaculture high-quality fish feed manufacturers and turnkey suppliers secure high-quality production including sub-suppliers to both land-based RAS facilities and offshore facilities as well as supply vessels and wellboat production.

GOING FOR MAXIMUM UTILISATION WHERE EVERY SEAFOOD COMPONENT COUNTS

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM OF THE VALUE CHAIN

Fish trimmings and other side streams are no longer regarded as waste but as important raw materials for high-value ingredients for food, feed and health products for human consumption.

The Danish fishing industry has an ambition to create value from 100% of the seafood caught at sea or raised by aquaculture. Trimmings from fish fileting, bones, shells, skin and viscera – all have a value to explore and realise in ingredients for food, dietary supplements, pet food and feed.

Public-private collaborations in Denmark are constantly searching for new ways to make most efficient use of every component. In the pharmaceutical sector, the potential of bioactive marine compounds is consequently just starting to be revealed. At the lower levels of the value chain, seafood sidestreams are utilised as feedstock for biofuel production.

Denmark is Europe’s no. 1 producer of fish-meal and fish oil, producing more than 190,000 tonnes and 52,000 tonnes, respectively, a year and exporting to more than 40 countries worldwide. Along with side-streams from fish production for the consumer market, the raw materials are primarily short-lived pelagic species, such as sprat, Norway pout, sand eel and herring.

The fishmeal industry can look to Danish enzyme technology for solutions that optimise protein extraction while saving on energy consumption. The enzymes further enable the production of protein hydrolysates, natural flavours and flavour enhancers for the food industry.

Once all other opportunities for value creation are exhausted, the remaining seafood side-streams serve as feedstock for biogas production and, after degassing, as a fertiliser. A recent initiative launched at one of the Denmark’s primary fishery ports aims to convert protein-containing fishery waste-water into biogas. The biogas will be used to generate electricity and heat for the local community – the final link in a zero-waste value chain.

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Denmark is Europe’s no. 1 producer of fish-meal and fish oil

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Denmark's annual production of fishmeal

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Denmark's annual production of fish oil

The fishmeal industry can look to Danish enzyme technology for solutions that optimise protein extraction while saving on energy consumption

Other use of protein-rich fish trimmings

The fishmeal industry can look to Danish enzyme technology for solutions that optimise protein extraction while saving on energy consumption. The enzymes further enable the production of protein hydrolysates, natural flavours and flavour enhancers for the food industry.

In fish oil production, enzymatic processing is a gentler alternative to chemical extraction, improving the quality of the omega-3 fatty acids and enabling the creation of oils with differing ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA).

Once all other opportunities for value creation are exhausted, the remaining seafood side-streams serve as feedstock for biogas production and, after degassing, as a fertiliser. A recent initiative launched at one of the Denmark’s primary fishery ports aims to convert protein-containing fishery waste-water into biogas. The biogas will be used to generate electricity and heat for the local community – the final link in a zero-waste value chain.

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THE COLLABORATIVE ORIGINS OF DANISH FISHING INDUSTRY INNOVATION

CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS WITH A VIEW TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Danish industry, academia and authorities have a tradition for sharing knowledge and driving solutions for sustainable and profitable fishing.

Collaboration is the seedbed for innovation in the Danish fishing industry. By coming together to share knowledge and perspectives, representatives from industry, universities and authorities continue to build new possibilities for sustainable growth.

At DTU Aqua, part of the Technical University of Denmark, research and innovation is continuously underway in collaboration with Danish and international partners. Among its extensive facilities, DTU Aqua operates Denmark’s largest vessel for marine biology, fishery and environmental research. Other fields of investigation cover aquaculture, shellfish and seaweed – generating a stream of new knowledge about aquatic resources and their sustainable utilisation.

As demand from consumers increases and new laws are enforced, the Danish authorities are indispensable to supporting fisher-ies and aquaculture. Primary focus areas include the joint efforts to optimise sustainability at sea and on land, limit adverse impact on the seabed and improve knowledge of the nutritional value of seafood products.

The tradition for collaboration plays a significant role in equipping Danish suppliers to meet a broad range of needs within international fishery, aquaculture and the seafood processing industry. New fishing equipment and technology is being developed to lower costs for fishermen and reduce environmen-tal impact.