The Davis Strait - DCE - Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi

Salmon, Salmo salar
The fishery for Atlantic salmon in Greenland waters began in 1960-62 and
peaked in the early 1970s at a catch level of more than 2,000 tonnes a year
(Jensen 1990). The fishery was quota regulated from 1972, but due to declining
stocks NASCO agreed in 1998 that no commercial fishery for salmon
should be allowed. Since then, the export of salmon from Greenland has
been banned and the fishery has been limited to the amount that can be sold
and consumed within Greenland. The coastal fishery constitutes a significant
income for a few fishermen in each community. In 2010 reported landings
amounted to 40 tonnes (Fig. 5.1.5b). Approximately half of the total catch of
salmon in Greenland is caught in the assessment area.
Redfish, Sebastes mentella and Sebastes marinus
Landings of redfish in West Greenland were more than 5,000 tonnes per year
prior to the mid-1980s. Since then landings in West Greenland have been below
1,000 tonnes per year and less than 100 tonnes in 2010 (Fig. 5.1.5c). Part
of the catch is taken inshore in the West Greenland fjords. Specific catch statistics
for the assessment area are not available.
Wolffish, Anarhichas minor, Anarhichas lupus and Anarhichas denticulatus
Catch statistics are currently not divided into species, but reported as wolffish
combined. Wolffish are mainly taken inshore (Nygaard & Jørgensen
2010), partly as bycatch in the longline or gillnet fishery for Greenland halibut
and cod and occasionally in crab traps. During the last decade landings
of wolffish have increased from less than 100 tonnes to about 1,000 tonnes
per year. Atlantic wolffish survey indices from the EU-German survey are
very low compared to the mid-1980s. The current advice for Atlantic wolffish
is ‘No direct fishery’. Spotted wolffish survey indices increased between
2002 and 2008 to a level above average.
Iceland scallop, Chlamys islandica
Iceland scallop is caught in shallow waters in the assessment area where
currents are strong. Only one fishing boat is active in the fishery and the total
catch in 2009 was 511 tonnes.
5.2 Subsistence and recreational fisheries and hunting
Tenna Kragh Boye, Fernando Ugarte, Malene Simon, Erik W. Born, Lars M. Rasmussen,
Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid (GINR) & Daniel Clausen (AU)
Hunting and fishing are an integrated part of Greenlandic culture. Subsistence
hunting is still of economic importance and recreational hunting and
fishing activities make a significant contribution to private households. In
Southwest and South Greenland a lot of the subsistence fishing and hunting
of marine mammals and seabirds has gradually developed into recreational
activitys.
Small-scale fishing and hunting are important activities in the area, both in
the larger towns, but especially in the smaller settlements where there are
fewer options for alternative employment. The income generated from
commercial hunting, i.e., the local sale of meat and skin, is an important
source of livelihood and as a supplementary food supply for hunters and
their relations (Rasmussen 2005). Hunting is considered to be a fundamental
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