Norwegian fishermen lead the way in ghost net retrieval efforts while Denmark lags behind

Norwegian gillnet fishermen play a crucial role in the country’s extensive fishing industry, with over 2,000 vessels operating in its waters. However, there are no guarantees that nets will be retrieved once deployed. Hilde Sofie Berg, an environmental advisor with the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, explains that losing a net can happen to anyone, especially when fishing in extremely deep waters under challenging weather conditions.

Unlike Denmark, Norway has a long-established practice of retrieving lost or abandoned fishing nets, also known as ghost nets. The country began cleanup initiatives in the early 1980s and boasts nearly 40 years of experience in this area. It is likely the world leader in ghost net removal. Fishermen in Norway are legally required to report lost fishing gear to the Coast Guard, and in recent years, around 1,000 ghost nets have been removed from Norwegian waters annually.

While this reporting requirement also applies to commercial fishermen in Denmark, the number of reported lost nets lags significantly behind Norway’s figures. Jesper Appel Jensen, founder of North Nature, emphasizes that either fishermen in Denmark are exceptionally skilled— which he doubts— or there needs to be a change in attitudes towards reporting lost gear.

When fishermen in Norway lose equipment, they first attempt to retrieve it themselves. If unsuccessful, they report the loss to the Coast Guard, after which investigations are conducted by the Directorate of Fisheries. Cleanup efforts in Norway are funded partly by a levy on commercial fisheries and supported by state budget allocations, totaling 8.2 million Norwegian kroner for 2023. In contrast, Denmark has allocated 12 million Danish kroner for efforts in 2023 and 2024, with no funds currently set for 2025. Effective communication with fishermen is vital in identifying cleanup areas, ensuring that lost gear can often be returned.