Danish Aquaculture joins sea protection initiative

Danish Aquaculture, the trade association for Denmark’s fish farming industry, has agreed to join a new group set up to improve the marine environment around the country’s coastline.

The Sea Think Tank was set up last summer by the environmentally focused Velux Foundation as a way of working towards a cleaner and healthier sea and is fast gaining support from the seafood sector in Denmark.

The Foundation has donated close to £10m (DKK 75m) to support the Think Tank over the next five years.

Maria Reumert Gjerding, chair of the think tank board, said recently: ”If you dive just a little below the surface, you find that our sea is currently experiencing a deep environmental crisis. Eels and cod have gone from being some of the most common fish in Denmark to being critically endangered.

“Eelgrass and other plants are rapidly disappearing. We need to take action to avoid our sea ending up like an underwater desert.

Danish Aquaculture (Dansk Akvakultur) has been joined by the Danish Fisheries Association and Danish Aquaculture Danish Aquaculture and Food.

Danish Aquaculture director Brian Thomsen said: “The wellbeing of the sea preoccupies us a lot. We are always looking for cooperation and common solutions in areas that concern us. It tends to bring good things with it. We look forward to the collaboration and knowledge sharing in the Sea Think Tank.”

Danish Fisheries Association CEO Kenn Skau Fischer added: “It is in our DNA to work to ensure that our marine environment and the Danish fjords are well, healthy and clean. Therefore, it is logical that we become part of this community. We hope that with our knowledge and experience we can strengthen the work of the think tank.”

Maria Reumert Gjerding