New Opportunities for Fishermen After Relocation
Commercial fishermen in Greenland, as well as those who have moved to Denmark, now have a chance to re-acquire their fishing and hunting licenses. This revelation comes from a recent correspondence involving Peter Borg, the Minister for Fisheries, Catching, Agriculture, and Self-Sufficiency, and Isak Johannesen, a member of the Inatsisartut from the Naleraq party.
Johannesen inquired about the potential risks of losing business licenses when changing addresses, especially in connection with cooperative education initiatives. Borg’s response sheds light on this important issue.
No License Lost in Relocation
Borg clarified that the Department of Fisheries does not maintain statistics on how many fishermen successfully obtain new licenses after relocating. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that it is not uncommon for fishermen and trappers to change their addresses, whether within Greenland or abroad.
“If a fisherman moves, they may need to apply for a fishing license relevant to their new administrative area. However, they do not lose their existing license; they simply need to re-apply according to the regulations,” Borg explained, referencing section 18 of the executive order governing licenses and quotas.
Moreover, if a fisherman has not applied for a license for an extended period, perhaps due to personal education or long-term illness, they may seek a dispensation under section 16 of the same executive order.
For those moving abroad, however, the situation changes. Commercial fishermen lose their right to fish in Greenland and must demonstrate five years of residency and tax payments in Greenland before they can reapply for a license. Still, Borg noted that temporary absences for educational or medical reasons might still allow for a license, contingent on meeting specific criteria outlined in the fishing laws.
Guidelines for Reacquisition and Exemptions
In his communication, Borg also provided essential guidance regarding hunting licenses. Individuals holding recreational or commercial hunting permits must report their address changes through the Sullissivik system, including moves to different municipalities.
“Those who meet the requirements of their new municipality can retain their hunting licenses, updated with their new address. They can validate this with a copy of their paid hunting license during the address change process,” Borg stated.
If hunters relocate to Denmark for training or health reasons, they can request a dispensation to reacquire their hunting license upon returning to Greenland. However, they must also comply with requirements like possessing the necessary catching equipment.
Borg emphasized that the government is committed to fostering a sustainable fishing and trapping industry. He referred to a report on the development of dinghy fishing from 2016 to 2024, which indicated a notable increase of 147 dinghy fishermen during that period.
Continuing the Conversation
Isak Johannesen, the Upernavik representative, wants to further explore the complexities surrounding licensing for fishermen who relocate and subsequently find themselves excluded from fishing for a time.
“Many fishermen have encountered challenges when trying to reacquire their fishing or hunting licenses after moving. It’s crucial for the process to be more accessible for those looking to support their families,” Johannesen remarked. He plans to gather more factual information from the fisheries to prepare for another inquiry based on section 37 of the law.
The Naleraq party, to which Johannesen belongs, has been a vocal opponent of the fisheries law in its current iteration, seeking a moratorium on its implementation to address these pressing concerns.
As discussions continue, the hope is to achieve clarity and support for fishermen navigating these regulatory waters.