Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Greenland Shark Cull Proposal Triggers Conservation and Fishing Debate
Some Greenland fishers say Greenland sharks damage the fishing lines they use to catch halibut and cod.
The broken lines can mean lost hooks, equipment, and fishing time.
A local municipality proposed paying fishers for shark hearts, with a goal of removing 1,000 sharks.
Its mayor said this would help protect fishers’ income and food.
A conservation group says removing sharks may not solve the problem because other sharks could arrive from elsewhere.
A Greenland shark expert also warned that a large cull could put the population at risk.
The local government temporarily paused the proposal because of legal questions.
The debate is about balancing fishers’ livelihoods with protecting sharks and the marine environment.
Avannaata municipality proposed paying fishers 300 Danish krone per Greenland shark heart, targeting 1,000 sharks.
Fishers say sharks damage longlines while feeding on hooked halibut and cod, causing lost gear and fishing time.
Henrik Jensen said he had lost about 6,000 hooks this year and sometimes 30,000 Danish krone a day.
The municipality’s mayor said the proposal was intended to protect fishers’ income and food supplies.
The local government temporarily halted the proposal over legal questions; conservationists and a shark expert warned about ecological risks.
- Who
- Avannaata municipality, local fishers, Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat, and Greenland shark expert Julius Nielsen.
- What
- A proposed bounty paying 300 Danish krone per harvested Greenland shark heart, with a target cull of 1,000 animals, prompted debate.
- When
- The local government temporarily paused the proposal; the articles provide no specific date.
- Where
- Avannaata municipality in northern Greenland, including coastal fishing communities such as Kullorsuaq and Ilulissat.
- Why
- The municipality proposed the cull to ease fishers’ reported losses from sharks damaging longlines; conservationists raised concerns about the sharks and the population.
Support for the proposed cull
Concerns about the proposed cull
Fishers’ livelihoods
Support for the proposed cull
The municipality and some fishers say sharks damage costly longlines and reduce fishing income; the mayor said the plan would help safeguard fishers’ income and food supplies.
Concerns about the proposed cull
Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat argues culling will not resolve the problem because sharks removed from the area may be replaced by sharks arriving from elsewhere.
Ecological risks
Support for the proposed cull
The proposal’s stated aim is to reduce the strain on fishers by removing a targeted number of sharks.
Concerns about the proposed cull
Julius Nielsen described Greenland sharks as long-lived, migratory predators and warned that a bounty could threaten a population likely still recovering from past commercial harvests, particularly if similar measures spread.
- Proposed bounty
- 300 Danish krone (about $44) per harvested shark heart
- Target cull
- 1,000 Greenland sharks
- Proposal status
- Temporarily halted over legal questions
- Reported hook losses
- Henrik Jensen said he had lost about 6,000 hooks this year
- Reported daily losses
- Jensen said losses could reach 30,000 Danish krone a day
- Longline cost
- Timotheus Petersen said one longline costs 1,599 krone
- Local economic context
- Commercial fishing drives nearly a quarter of Greenland’s economy, according to the article