The Danish Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Mr. Jacob Jensen

Fishing Industry Warns: Lumpfish Fishery Threatened by Poor Advice

DENMARK
Tuesday, December 03, 2024, 06:00 (GMT + 9)

Fishing organizations ask the minister for support for a lay-up scheme to protect the Lumpfish population and secure coastal fishermen's economy.

In a letter to Food Minister Jacob Jensen, the Association for Sustainable Coastal Fisheries (FSK-PO) and the Danish Fishermen's Association (DFPO) urge the government to introduce a lay-up scheme for coastal fisheries targeting Lumpfish. The background is a worrying assessment from DTU Aqua, which paints a bleak picture of the Lumpfish population's condition in 2025, reports Edmund Jacobsen from Fiskeri Tidende (Denmark).

According to the organizations, the Lumpfish fishery is a vital source of income for coastal fishermen during the winter months. However, the latest stock assessment from DTU Aqua and the expected regulation will further strain the fishermen's economy and future prospects.

The number of stone bites that are caught in Danish waters has fallen significantly over the past 20 years - the last two years have seen a real collapse of the stone bite population. Source: DTU Aqua. Click on the image to enlarge.

Proposes lay-up scheme

To protect the Lumpfish population and give the fishery a necessary break, FSKPO and DFPO propose allocating funds for a lay-up scheme in the upcoming EHFAF program for 2025-2027.

The proposal involves a temporary suspension of fishing in the first three months of the year to protect spawning Lumpfish.

At the same time, the scheme should be supplemented by a bycatch scheme for other fishing gear not used for targeted Lumpfish fishing. The organizations estimate that the scheme can be financed with 10-15 million kroner annually.

It is not only the rockfish that are affected when the population collapses, but also the fishermen who make a living from catching them. In the mid-90s, there were 1,282 Danish fishing cutters that caught more than 50 kg of rockfish. By 2023, that number had dropped to 152 and is expected to drop even further in 2024. By 2025, the experts are calling for the targeted fishing for rockfish to be closed entirely. Source DTU Aqua. Click on the image to enlarge.

Uncertainty about basis

FSKPO and DFPO emphasize the importance of closer cooperation between DTU Aqua and the fishermen. They point out discrepancies between DTU Aqua's advice and the fishermen's own observations, which create uncertainty about the basis for a possible closure of the fishery.

"We hope for understanding of the difficult situation and are naturally available for questions," the letter concludes, emphasizing the need for a more balanced approach to Lumpfish fishing.

Summary:

The Danish fishing industry is facing a crisis due to declining Lumpfish populations. To protect the species and support fishermen, fishing organizations are proposing a temporary ban on Lumpfish fishing during spawning season. They also suggest a financial support program to help fishermen during this period. The proposal highlights concerns about the accuracy of scientific assessments and the need for a more balanced approach to fisheries management.

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