Food minister Dan Jørgensen’s hopes to lure those hooked on fishing for fun with his new plan for building up fish stock across the country.

Over the next five years the minister’s plan will release a variety of initiatives to boost sustainable fishing, according to a press release.

One of the initiatives is to give pike in certain areas of Sjælland and Møn special status, meaning that when caught, fishermen will have to throw the fish back into the water. Fishermen will also be banned from using nets to catch pike during certain times of the year.

Another fisherman favourite, the sea trout, will also enjoy the reduction of net fishing in Bornholm, Norsminde Fjord and Nybøl Nor near Flensborg Fjord.

Jørgensen sees “huge potential” with recreational fishing and hopes his “new vision and practical initiatives” will give the industry a boost in tourism, jobs and revenue. Approximately half a million people enjoy recreational fishing and the industry employs 2,500 people for a profit of three billion kroner per year.

Rest of the catch
Another initiative in the plan is to add more protected reefs next year in several areas which will ban the use of trawl fishing.

Additionally a new program will be funded for river restoration to help increase self-reproducing fish stock and benefit the aquatic environment.

There will also be a doubled effort in controlling coastal fishing and protected areas to reduce illegal fishing and the use of illegal fishing means.

And a task force is being set up to look at the further development of the recreational fishing industry.