No new answer for shrimp fishermen in trawling ban case

Danish shrimp fishermen waiting to resume bottom trawling for horse shrimp off Rømø and along the Jutland west coast will have to wait longer, as the Ministry of Social Security and Preparedness has deferred a decision pending a military survey of the waters.

Minister Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen (SF) told a parliamentary consultation on Thursday that the Agency for Preparedness has asked the Defence Command to examine the seabed, as only they can provide the factual basis needed to review the rules, according to a report by DR.

Venstre MP Anni Mathiesen, who called the consultation seeking clarity for the affected fishermen, said the minister provided no immediate solution. Mathiesen expressed concern that the process could drag on, despite the minister’s assurances of urgency.

“Even if she says she’ll handle this very quickly and that it’s a top priority, those of us who’ve been in the Folketing for some years know that ‘quickly’ in the ministries isn’t always the same as our understanding of it,” Mathiesen said.

She indicated she would likely summon the minister again in August to press for progress, emphasizing cross-party political support for resolving the issue.