Local Fishermen Express Frustration Over Cod Quota Allocation
Disappointment hangs over Sikuaq Trawl A/S as the Greenlandic government has refused their appeal for an ocean-going cod quota for 2026. Carl Christensen, the main owner and director of the company, emphasized the impact on their trawler, which will remain docked for much of the upcoming year, citing insufficient quotas for shrimp and mackerel to sustain year-round fishing.
“We are, of course, disappointed,” Christensen stated. “The quotas we’ve been assigned simply aren’t enough to keep our trawler operational.”
Last December, Sikuaq Trawl submitted their request for the cod quota, hoping to bolster their fishing operations. However, on December 19, the Department of Fisheries, Catching, Agriculture and Self-Sufficiency delivered the unfavorable news, a development first reported in our publication.
Christensen stated that, under the current quota assignments, his fleet is only expected to fish for shrimp and mackerel for about eight and a half months in 2026, with uncertainty clouding the future of the North Atlantic mackerel stock. He observed that this limited fishing time would prevent any carryover of shrimp quotas into the following year.
“Our future looks uncertain as we are left with just shrimp and mackerel to rely on,” he remarked.
A Commitment to Local Welfare
Sikuaq Trawl A/S prides itself on being a fully Greenlandic operation with a robust financial standing and years of industry experience. Christopher highlights that the company has consistently achieved the highest prices for its shrimp and has been a leader in providing fair wages to its crew members.
“Our contributions to Greenlandic society are significant,” he added, noting their financial support for local communities.
The New Tide of Foreign Interests
On December 18, the government allocated a total of 16,000 tonnes of ocean-going cod quotas amongst eight companies. Notably, three of these firms are newcomers to West Greenland’s fishing scene. Familiar names like Royal Greenland A/S and Polar Seafood Greenland A/S continue their presence, while Sikuaq Trawl is left feeling overlooked.
Christensen underscored the pressing issue of foreign involvement. “We are outraged by the decision to grant cod quotas to companies with strong foreign interests,” he said, alluding specifically to Arctic Prime Fisheries and Arsuk Food ApS. The chairman of Arctic Prime, Gudmundur Kristjánsson, is a notable name in Iceland’s fishing industry and holds significant power in the regional market.
Financial Struggles Amidst Large Quotas
A deeper look into the finances of Arctic Prime Fisheries reveals a troubling pattern. The company has faced consistent deficits over the last decade, including a staggering loss of DKK 12 million last year alone. Christensen expressed disbelief that such a firm could be entrusted with large quotas given its poor financial history.
“If a Greenlandic company performed similarly in Iceland, I have no doubt it would face swift termination,” he said.
Connections to the Past
Another foreign entity, Arsuk Food ApS, is partly owned by the Faroese fishing group P/F JFK, which has a history in Greenlandic fisheries dating back to 2007. Despite their involvement, concerns linger about the future of these foreign-owned enterprises.
Recently, Arctic Prime has expanded its fleet, raising eye-brows among local industry leaders. Christensen cannot reconcile how permissions are granted to firms like Arctic Prime while local companies like Sikuaq Trawl are left adrift. “It’s tragically comical,” he lamented, “to see valuable quotas slipping into foreign hands instead of being invested in local businesses.”
Maintaining Hope
Despite the frustrations, Christensen maintains a sense of optimism regarding future opportunities. “Have we lost hope for securing a cod quota? Not at all. Fishing requires a spirit of optimism,” he asserted. He remains committed to advocating for the interests of Greenland’s local fishing companies. “For the advancement of Greenland’s fisheries, it’s crucial that quotas are allocated to locally-based firms.”