In Disko Bay, the annual quota for dinghy fishermen is now only a fifth of what it was, but work is underway to increase it, according to Aalisarnermut Naalakkersuisoq.
In Disko Bay, 297 dinghy fishermen have been granted permits for halibut fishing and have been allocated 1,060 tons this year.
Now there are fears that the quota will run out.
According to Greenland Fisheries and Catch Monitoring, on June 15, fishermen had already caught 81 percent of the year’s quota.
BUTTON requires action
KNAPK chairman asks Naalakkersuisut: What will fishermen do to survive if the quota runs out?
Nikkulaat Jeremiassen has approached Fisheries Minister Peter Borg with the question:
– If the quota for dinghy fishing expires, what should fishermen do?
Instead of social assistance, the KNAPK chairman wants the quota for halibut to be increased.
The quota is increased
The Government of Greenland is now working to increase the quota, as requested by the chairman of KNAPK. This is stated in Fisheries Minister Peter Borg’s response to the organization on June 10.
– The work is underway and will be completed as soon as possible, writes Peter Borg, who represents the Democrats.
However, the minister does not mention how much the quota could be increased, or when it could happen.
KNR has asked the Department of Fisheries when the quota will be increased and how large the increase will be. The answer is that they will only announce something when the process is completed – and that they will not comment on the matter at this time.
According to a previous fisheries commission, a fisherman must catch at least 33 tons of halibut annually to support himself and his family. If this were followed, only 32 of the current 297 dinghy fishermen would be able to continue.