Catching methods in Greenland

Our traditional and modern catching method supply Royal Greenland with the finest seafood in the world.

Trap

Trap fishery for cod is very common in the inshore areas of West Greenland. A net pen is anchored to the shore and the seabed. The cod is able to enter, but not escape. The trap is emptied every other day by gathering the net to make the trap smaller, enabling the fishermen to scoop the fish into their small boats with a landing net. In the boat, the fish are graded according to size and the ones not living up to a minimum of 40 cm are set back alive. This way, high quality fish are delivered fresh at the factory ashore without by catch of non-target species and no undersize fish are caught. At the same time, the catching method is fuel efficient due to the small boats used.

Trawling

Trawling is the most popular fishing method today because of its versatility and efficiency. The method employs a large cone shaped net, held open by large metal plates also called trawl doors. The net can be dragged by one or two fishing vessels. Several varieties of trawling exist, adapted to the target species. All trawls used in our own fishery in Greenland are equipped with separator grids and escape panels, in order to limit the catch of non-target species.

Long-line fishing

The catching method called ‘long-line fishing’ has been used in Greenland for centuries. Fishermen attach a single baited hook to a single long-line. The line is marked with buoys and held down with anchors. During the summer the catch is collected using dinghies. During the winter the fishermen ride out on the frozen fiords on their dog sledges and cut a hole in the thick ice and set their lines through the hole. A couple of hours later the line is drawn in and the catch is transported to our factories on the dog sledge.
Long-line fishing is a highly selective catching method and provides Royal Greenland with high quality fish such as Greenland halibut, catfish and redfish.

Gill-net

Another type of catching gear, also used in the inshore fishery for Greenland halibut, is gill net. Gill nets consist of long walls of netting which trap fish either by gilling  or entanglement, depending on the size of mesh and the tightness of the netting. Plastic floats are attached at the top and weights or a lead-cored line at the bottom to keep the net upright. The mesh size of the nets is chosen to allow only the head and gill covers of the targetted size and type of fish to pass through and be trapped. The main advantage of gill nets is that when hung tightly, they are very size selective and retain few juveniles. If shot and hauled quickly the fish quality is good as well. The method is also fuel efficient, since it is used mostly by fishermen in small boats and requires little motorised equipment.

Pot fishing

Pots, also called traps, are usually a metal frame covered with a net. The pots are baited with for example cod and have a small opening through which the target species can enter, without getting out again. The pots are set either one at the time or several attached to a long line with buoys marking the end of the line. The pots soak for some time and are then hauled in and the catch is removed. Pot fishing has very little impact on the environment and is highly selective, not killing other species. In addition, the catch is landed live for maximum quality. This method is primarily used for crabs and lobster.