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.

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.

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.

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.

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.