Capital: Copenhagen
Population: 5.9 million
(2023, Statistics Denmark)
GDP: €376 billion
(2022, Eurostat)- GDP/capita: €63 680
(2022, Eurostat)
Overview of the Danish fisheries and aquaculture sector
Marine fisheries
The fishing industry plays a significant role in Denmark’s coastal and rural economy. Fisheries constitute a very important economic activity in specific regions, e.g., in western and northern Jutland and on the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. Norwegian lobster in the Kattegat and blue mussels in Limfjord are also of significant local importance.
The capture fisheries sector consists of the following three main categories:
- the pelagic fishery for human consumption, mainly herring and mackerel landed whole and stored in CSW (Cold Sea Water) tanks;
- the demersal fishery for white fish (cod, hake, haddock, whiting, saithe), flatfish (sole, plaice, flounder, etc.), Norway lobster, and deep-water prawns; and
- the industrial fishery for fishmeal and fish oil, mainly for sandeel, Norway pout, blue whiting, and sprat.
In 2022, the fishing fleet consisted of 1 841 vessels with a gross tonnage of 69 526 tonnes and a total power of 210 605 KW. A large proportion of the enterprises own a single vessel and the rest own two to five vessels. Small vessels (less than 10m) represent the bulk of the fleet (78%), while vessels longer than 24 meters account for just over 3% yet represent more than 70% of the total gross tonnage. This segment mostly consists of large pelagic trawlers. In general, around 36% of Danish vessels are classified as liners and gillnetters, while 24% are divided almost evenly between purse seiners and trawlers. Nearly half of the vessels are classified as “other”. The regions of mid and north Jutland have the largest number of vessels registered (over 55% of the total fleet). They also contribute the greatest volume of gross tonnage (over 83%). Significant ports in these regions are Hanstholm, Hirtshals, and Skagen. In 2022 the number of fishing enterprises amounted to 595, providing jobs to 1 503 people, of which 776 were employed full-time.
In 2022, the total catch landed by Danish vessels in Danish ports amounted to 458 210 tonnes with a total value of over €399 million. The share of the catch for human consumption was around 45% of the total in volume and around 80% in value and consisted of pelagic fish (mainly herring and mackerel), demersal white fish (cod, hake, haddock, whiting, saithe), flatfish (sole, plaice, flounder), blue mussel, lobster, and deepwater prawn.
Inland fisheries
In Denmark, there are about 500 lakes and ponds, mostly small and shallow. The largest lake, Arresø (41 km²), is located on the island of Zealand. Only two rivers are longer than 100 km, and five are longer than 60 km, with the principal river being Gudenå at 158 km long. The main commercial inland fishing areas in Denmark also include Lake Arresø and the estuaries of Ringkøbing Fjord, Nissum Fjord, Limfjord, Randers Fjord and Isefjorden/Roskilde Fjord. In addition, there is limited commercial fishing in 20–30 other lakes and a few rivers.
Commercial inland fisheries in Denmark are of minor importance, and catches have declined during the past 20–30 years. Inland fisheries are distinguished from marine fisheries by being “carried out in freshwater,” and professional fishing is distinguished from sport fishing by being “allowed to trade catch”. The main species in inland fisheries are eel, perch, bream, pike, pike-perch, and smelt. Commercial lake fisheries target eel, pike, pike-perch, and perch. There are also some small-scale fisheries for crayfish, mostly in small lakes and ponds.
In 2022 the total inland catch was 103 tonnes valued at almost €907 thousand. European eel was the largest species and contributed to 73% of the volume and 93% of the value. The number of entities involved in freshwater fishing was 15 and employed 18 people, of which only one in full-time equivalent (FTE). Denmark, there are about 500 lakes and ponds, mostly small and shallow. The largest lake, Arresø (41 km²), is located on the island of Zealand. Only two rivers are longer than 100 km, and five are longer than 60 km, with the principal river being Gudenå at 158 km long. The main commercial inland fishing areas in Denmark also include Lake Arresø and the estuaries of Ringkøbing Fjord, Nissum Fjord, Limfjord, Randers Fjord and Isefjorden/Roskilde Fjord. There is also limited commercial fishing in 20–30 other lakes and a few rivers.
Inland fishery is distinguished from marine fishery by being “carried out in freshwater,” and professional fishing is distinguished from sport fishing by being “allowed to trade catch”. The main species in inland fisheries are eel, perch, bream, pike, pike-perch, and smelt. Commercial lake fisheries target eel, pike, pike-perch, and perch. There are also some small-scale fisheries for crayfish, mostly in small lakes and ponds. Commercial inland fisheries in Denmark are of minor importance, as catches have declined during the past 20–30 years.
Aquaculture
The main species farmed in Denmark is rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss), which constitutes over 70% of the total production, which in 2022 amounted to 48 757 tonnes in volume and €175.7 million in value. In the past five years Denmark’s annual aquaculture production has been growing at an average rate of 4% annually.
Production is divided into two segments: land-based farms and sea cages. The tradition of land-based farming dates back to the mid-19th century. The techniques used today are ponds, raceways, and recirculation systems (RAS) producing small portion-size trout. In 2022 the share of trout production in RAS systems amounted to 41% of the country’s total aquaculture production. Another important freshwater species is the European eel (Anguilla anguilla), which is farmed in land-based recirculation units. Salmon, pike-perch, and yellowtail kingfish are among the other species farmed. In 2022, the number of farms was 239, of which most are freshwater farms primarily in Jutland.
Sea cage farming in Denmark was introduced in the 1970s and now represents 20% of the total trout production. Around 70% of the farming takes place in the Baltic Sea area. Blue mussel farming (primarily on long suspended lines) is a new activity that started in 2006 and has been showing significant growth recently: the total volumes reached 10 227 tonnes in 2022 – a two-fold increase from 2018. Farming takes place mainly in the Limfjord in the northern part of Jutland, but also in the Skagerrak and Kattegat. In 2022 there were 609 employees in the sector, of which over 73% were employed full-time.
Processing and trade
Denmark is a large exporter of fish and seafood, although about 80% of Danish exports stay within the EU. Denmark is also a major importer of raw materials that are further processed and then exported. Most of the processing facilities are located in northern Jutland close to the major landing sites. Production volumes in recent years have fluctuated between 450 and 520 thousand tonnes. On average, fish meal and oil production is about 60% of the total volume. In 2022 the total value of processed products reached €2 139 million, and the total number of employees was 2 345 (FTE) across 92 factories. Of products destined for human consumption, preserved and canned fish products are about 60% of the total volume. Fresh fillets are the second largest product group, reaching up to 18% on average, followed by smoked, salted, and dried products (16%), and frozen fillets (8%). Herring products account for up to 28%, salmon up to 25%, and cod up to 16% of the total volume of products for human consumption.
Fish meal and oil production (not for human consumption) amounts to an average 60% of the total volume of the processing sector’s output. In 2022, there were six factories producing fish meal and oil, and the number of employees was 194 (FTE).
In 2022, Denmark imported fish and seafood valued at €3.3 billion. Norway was the main source of these imports (33%), followed by Sweden (5%), and Germany (4.6%). Imports arrive either from foreign fishing vessels landing their catch in Danish fishing ports or from fish landed abroad that is then brought to Denmark by ship or lorry.
In 2022, exports of fish and seafood reached a total value of €4 billion. The majority of these were destined for EU countries, with Germany as the largest single market, receiving 16% of the total value, followed by France (8%). Outside of the EU, the largest importer was China, with 11% of total value. The main exports included salmon, cod, and shrimp. Fishmeal and fish oil, as well as freshwater fish and various shellfish, are significant as well.
Consumption
Consumption of fisheries and aquaculture products in Denmark amounted to 26,3 kg per capita in 2020, compared to 24 kg for the EU as a whole. Cod, hake, herring, mackerel, and salmon are the most popular species.
Older age groups – 40 to 54 and over 55 years old – are the most regular consumers of fish in Denmark. Younger people are consuming considerably less fish; compared to the rest of Europe. Denmark has one of the lowest numbers of regular seafood consumers in this age bracket.
Useful Links for Denmark
- Danish Fishing Agency
- Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
- Danish Seafood Association
- Dansk Akvakultur
- Danish National Fishermens Association
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources
- Innovative Fisheries Management (IFM)
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