Fisheries management in inland and coastal waters in Denmark from 1987 to 1999

Fishing is a major recreational activity in Denmark, involving both inland and coastal waters. Anglers, aged 18–67, and amateur fishermen, aged 12–67, must hold a valid fishing permit. Fees are used for stocking, river restoration and fisheries research. All proposals for stocking inland waters require stocking plans based on the carrying capacity of the aquatic habitat in question. All stocking is undertaken using hatchery-reared fish that are the offspring, either of wild fish caught in nature for subsequent stripping, or of more or less domesticated fish stocks that have lived in captivity for several generations. Stocking is also subject to genetic guidelines. This paper reviews the status of fisheries in Danish inland waters, their regulation, socio-economic aspects, stocking, aquaculture and the main problems and trends.