A Crucial Moment for Greenland’s Shrimp and Fish Industries
In a landscape where political and economic tensions run high, Greenland finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. Two mayors, alongside their municipal councils in North Greenland, are waging a fierce battle to keep two essential seafood factories operational—hubs that are crucial for the livelihoods of their communities.
The leaders of Kommune Qeqertalik, headed by Mayor Simigaq Heilmann of the Democrats, and Avannaata Kommunia, led by Siumut’s Lars Erik Gabrielsen, have united in their urgent appeal to the Naalakkersuisut and Inatsisartut to find a viable political solution. Their goal? To avert the impending closure of shrimp and fish factories in Ilulissat and Aasiaat, respectively.
“Protect Our Jobs”
Mayor Lars Erik Gabrielsen of Avannaata Kommunia took to the municipality’s website, Avannaata.gl, to voice his concerns. “Stop any political maneuvers that threaten the factory in Ilulissat,” he stated emphatically. He emphasized that the factory in Aasiaat should not be salvaged at the cost of a factory that is efficiently operating in Ilulissat.
Gabrielsen’s comments arose after the board of Polar Raajat, the company managing these factories, warned of an acute risk of closure for the Aasiaat facility. Owned by the private fishing groups Polar Seafood Greenland and Polar Seafood Denmark, the potential shutdown threatens 115 jobs. “If we cannot find a sustainable political solution,” stated the board’s chairman, Bent Salling, “we will be forced to close the Aasiaat factory by the autumn of 2026.”
The situation is complicated further, as Polar Raajat suggests that a long-term solution could involve the closure of the esteemed Royal Greenland factory in Ilulissat, a move which both mayors adamantly oppose.
A Call for Local Resilience
Following discussions with Kommune Qeqertalik, Bent Salling noted that the municipality is working alongside Polar to persuade the government to act. However, Gabrielsen points out that the severity of the situation goes beyond mere numbers.
“It’s dire when 115 jobs are at risk,” he said, but “it is even more alarming when a private company attempts to offload its structural challenges onto a functioning public entity.” He underscored that the community-owned Royal Greenland factory in Ilulissat operates efficiently, thanks to a rich base of local fishermen who rely on it for their livelihoods. “The raw materials naturally land here; it’s been our fishing town’s lifeblood for decades,” he remarked.
Gabrielsen added that the fishermen in Ilulissat have the option to trade in Aasiaat. “Yet, they choose not to,” he explained, citing the established infrastructure and networks available in their hometown as primary reasons.
To him, it seems shortsighted to think that political pressure could make Aasiaat’s factory more attractive at the expense of a well-functioning institution in Ilulissat. “Such a notion is naive and irresponsible,” he asserted.
The Profitability of the Ilulissat Factory
Furthermore, Gabrielsen championed the financial health of the Royal Greenland factory, insisting it ranks among the nation’s best. He pointed out the detrimental effects a closure would have, not only on local employment but also on Polar Seafood’s financial viability. “Closing a profitable factory won’t alleviate their issues—it will only exacerbate them,” he warned.
For Polar Seafood to secure Aasiaat’s operation, Gabrielsen suggested a reevaluation of their own internal priorities, proposing that they look towards their capacity in Nuuk rather than shifting burdens to a community-owned success.
“The discourse cannot be reduced to a mere city rivalry,” he stated. “The core of the issue lies in whether we should weaken a successful public venture to compensate for a private company’s failure.”
A Cry for Sustainable Development
Simigaq Heilmann, Mayor of Kommune Qeqertalik, echoed these sentiments, urging the government of Greenland to adopt a collaborative and responsible approach to ensure sustainable development. “What future are we envisioning for our smaller settlements?” she questioned poignantly.
Heilmann has raised alarms over the long-term ramifications of ever-tightening regulations in the fisheries sector, which pose dire risks of job losses, especially for families in Aasiaat. She also criticized the prioritization of infrastructure projects in Ittoqqortoormiit, noting the serious challenges facing her municipality.
In her message, Heilmann articulated the need for a national reorganization of the shrimp sector, urging both the politicians and Polar Raajat to recognize the urgent need for a joint and responsible initiative.
In this critical time for Greenland’s fisheries, the decisions made could either fortify local economies or unravel the lifelines that sustain them. As the debate unfolds, the stakes could not be higher for the communities affected.