Danish Fisheries and Aquaculture: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

Denmark has long fisheries and aquaculture traditions. Today, the marine commercial fishery has three major fleet categories with respect to the type of target species: (1) fisheries for industrial fish species, (2) fisheries for pelagic fish species that are intended for human consumption, and (3) fisheries for demersal fish and shellfish species that are intended for human consumption. Recreational fisheries are widespread and dominated by angling but also include net gear fishing and spearfishing. A mandatory national license system for recreational fishers has been in place since 1987. This system finances research as well as management initiatives, such as stocking and habitat restoration, the latter especially in relation to streams. Written evidence of aquaculture in Denmark dates back to 1241. Presently, production is dominated by land‐based facilities producing Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Here we present a short review of the history of these three fishery sectors, including examples of their cultural importance as well as their current state and future perspectives.