A Troubling Trend for West Greenland’s Cod Fishery
In West Greenland, the total cod quota for the coastal fishery in 2026 has been set at just over 23,000 tonnes, with 1,800 tonnes specifically allocated for recreational anglers. This year’s fishing season has seen a notable increase in cod abundance, coupled with a significant rise in the purchase price per kilogram compared to previous years. These factors have contributed to a robust summer of coastal cod fishing, as reported by various fishermen’s associations to Sermitsiaq.
However, beneath this flourishing surface lies a troubling issue: theft of cod from bottom nets by recreational fishermen has become an escalating concern along the coast, according to assertions from organizations like KNAPK, which represents commercial fishermen. In stark contrast, TPAK, representing recreational fishermen, categorically denies such claims.
An Escalating Challenge
The surge in cod availability has attracted more individuals to the waters, while the use of bottom nets has proliferated in recent years, as noted by KNAPK. Deputy Chairman Jens Peter Kielsen from Qaqortoq described a grim reality: incidents of vandalism against bottom nets and cod theft are increasingly common.
“Recreational fishermen fishing inside bottom nets and stealing cod is a widespread issue,” Kielsen remarked. “Whenever they do this, it damages the nets, leading to significant losses for the fishers.”
The financial implications are not negligible. Depending on size, a single bottom net commands a price ranging from DKK 50,000 to DKK 90,000 and can hold up to 30 tonnes of cod. “These nets are a considerable investment,” Kielsen stressed. “If they become damaged, the catch can escape, necessitating repairs that further dent a fisher’s profitability.”
Figure: Jens Peter Kielsen, deputy chairman of KNAPK, addresses the issue of theft from bottom nets by recreational fishermen. Photo by Nina-Vivi Møller Andersen.
Kielsen explained that KNAPK regularly receives complaints regarding these thefts, but the remote locations of many fishing sites make it difficult to gather solid evidence of wrongdoing.
Additionally, many commercial fishers utilize live storage facilities for their caught cod, which has opened another avenue for illegal fishing activities, further complicating the issue.
Concerns Echo in Nuuk
Sermitsiaq has reached out to various fishing associations along the coast about this troubling trend. In Nuuk, Karl Kristian Kruse, the chairman of the local fishermen’s and trappers’ association Neqita, confirmed that bottom net fishing is notably prevalent in the area. After consulting with his members, he indicated that there is a strong suspicion of recreational fishermen stealing from commercial nets.
A Call for Fairness
Despite the accusations, Peter Davidsen, vice-chairman of TPAK and chairman of the Nuuk-based NTPAP, firmly rejects the notion that recreational anglers engage in such activities.
“While it’s not uncommon for recreational fishermen to be accused of stealing from bottom nets, we must firmly state that these allegations lack merit,” Davidsen asserted. He went further, suggesting that commercial fishermen should introspect about their own challenges. “Some of them also face internal issues; we’ve heard of instances where individuals have deliberately sabotaged nets.”
With about 100 members, NTPAP prides itself on a legacy of fishing knowledge passed down through generations, emphasizing respect for fellow fishers’ gear.
In a final note, the Greenland Police have reported that no formal investigations have emerged regarding these allegations in recent years, leaving the matter clouded in controversy and conflict between the two groups.
As West Greenland’s cod fishing community grapples with these challenges, the future of its treasured fishery remains uncertain.