Anglers and Mayor call for ban on bottom trawling in Augustenborg Fjord, Denmark

A bottom trawler is currently operating in Augustenborg Fjord, dragging its nets across the seafloor to catch mussels, a practice it has conducted legally during the mussel harvesting season for several years. However, local anglers and the mayor of Sønderborg Municipality want to see an end to this practice. They argue that bottom trawling kills benthic animals and negatively impacts oxygen levels in the water.

Gorm Larsen, president of the Valkyrie Sports Fishing Association in Sønderborg, expressed concerns that ongoing trawling could lead to the ecological decline of Augustenborg Fjord. He has organized a demonstration at the dock when the trawler, Thyra, returns with its catch. Community efforts have been made to enhance marine life around Als, including planting eelgrass in Alssund Fjord, an extension of Augustenborg Fjord.

Sønderborg Mayor Erik Lauritzen emphasized the importance of protecting the existing marine life in Augustenborg Fjord, declaring that halting bottom trawling would be a responsible action given the fragility of the ecosystem. The trawler currently catches about ten tons of mussels daily, according to its owner, who maintains that they follow environmental regulations.

Recent studies indicate that bottom trawling contributes to oxygen depletion by releasing nutrients that promote algal blooms. The death and decay of these algae consume further oxygen in the water, exacerbating conditions for aquatic life.

Despite a prior government proposal to ban bottom trawling in many areas of Funen and the Sønderjylland fjords, it faced setbacks after the recent elections. Local fishermen and mayors express frustration with little action taken since the proposal was stalled. The Minister of Environment acknowledges the severity of the situation and indicates plans for increased protection of marine environments, including negotiations for new trawl-free zones.