Today’s news / Harsh criticism for inadequate fishery oversight
A mussel boat sails in the Limfjord in 2023. It is on the approximately 30 vessels, which have had permission to fish for mussels in the Limfjord in the period 2019-2014, where the Fisheries Authority has conducted an "extremely inadequate supervision", the State Auditors find. (Archive photo). Photo: Morten Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix

Harsh criticism for inadequate fishery oversight

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has been sharply criticized by the National Audit Office of Denmark (Statsrevisorerne) for extremely poor oversight of mussel fishing in the Limfjorden, which may have damaged the marine environment. The Ministry also faced criticism for providing the Parliament with incorrect information on two occasions. One has been corrected, and the other has not. The inquiry, prompted by TV 2’s reporting on illegal fishing activities, revealed that the Danish Fisheries Agency, under the ministry, lacked guidance for 15 years on how to control engine power on fishing vessels and misinterpreted a law during a two-year period. Minister Jacob Jensen acknowledged the issues, citing actions were taken to address some criticisms and future negotiations would address new concerns. Approximately 18,000 tons of blue mussels and heart cockles were harvested in the Limfjorden in 2023.