Increase in marine debris concerns fishermen in Strandby, Denmark

A large green container in the fishing town of Strandby, north of Frederikshavn, is filled with an array of debris, including a 200-liter oil drum, a shopping cart, and parts of a washing machine. Beside the container lies the base of a forklift, and behind it, a set of stove tops. On the opposite side, buckets of paint are stacked, some still sealed, others punctured with strange holes, while some are packed with various forms of waste.

The local harbor master, Jens Aage Neltoft, refers to fishermen as “the trash men of the sea.” He explains that over the past four years, the amount of waste brought in by fishermen has significantly increased, filling the container with metal waste every three months. This rise in garbage is concerning for both the fishermen and the environment.

Fishermen across the country have begun sharing unusual bycatch on social media, showcasing items like oil drums and paint spills contaminating their catches. Skipper Brian Nielsen notes that he often reels in paint, expressing frustration over the impact of such debris on his catch and equipment. He is convinced this waste, including dangerous items like phosphoric acid containers, is not discarded by Danish fishermen but likely comes from larger commercial vessels.

The local fishing association has also reported an increase in waste during the summer months. Chairman Claus Hjørne Pedersen believes this uptick may be linked to increased traffic in the northern Kattegat sea area, which is frequented by various ships and serves as an anchorage. While acknowledging that some debris is unavoidable, he insists that Danish fishermen typically have means to dispose of waste responsibly when they return to shore.