Sermitsiaq mentioned os again regarding the Greenland shark (13 April):
“The municipal council of Avannaata Kommunia decided in February that the shark population should be controlled to reduce the disturbance sharks cause to the fishing industry. However, the case was dropped when the Ministry of Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture determined that there was no legal basis for the initiative. Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat also believes that limiting the population could harm Greenland’s reputation. The fishers, however, maintain that the population should be reduced.”
Read the news here (in Danish and easily translated to English):
https://www.sermitsiaq.ag/samfund/fiskere-hajbestanden-bor-formindskes/2370727
If you missed our full article on the Greenland shark, in which we propose exploring long-term solutions, read on here:
“We recognize fishers’ frustrations, but a bounty for Greenland sharks would not be an effective use of public funds and risked diverting attention from exploring potential long-term solutions that could actually help reduce bycatch and prevent gear loss,” says Jenseraq Poulsen, Executive Director of ONKN. Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat (ONKN) therefore welcomes news that a planned cull of Greenland sharks will not move forward.
Greenland currently lacks systematic data on bycatch levels and local shark populations. Fishers can play a key role by improving their reporting to the Greenland Fisheries and Hunting Control Authority (GFJK) about when, where, and how many sharks are caught, as well as where gear is lost.
Bycatch data can reveal hotspots where scientists and fishers can test bycatch-reduction methods, such as gear modification. In Canada, for example, a study showed that switching longline gangions from nylon to monofilament significantly reduced Greenland shark bycatch.
Retrieving ghost gear and avoiding fish waste dumping can also further limit shark attraction to fishing areas.
ONKN is working with Oceans North Canada to help raise funds to test new shark deterrent technology on Greenland sharks. If funding is secured, ONKN hopes to collaborate closely with Greenlandic fishers as the project moves forward.
Read our previous press release:
