Several of the 14 shark species registered in Denmark are on the rise. This seems to be linked to reduced fishing.
Several analyses show that several of the species of sharks that live in Danish waters are doing well.
According to researchers from DTU Aqua – The Danish National Institute of Aquatic Resources, the rise in sharks is due to less fishing for fish. When less fishing is done with beam trawlers and other trawlers in the North Sea, sharks, among others, are doing well. This is very clear, according to DTU Aqua.
What are the chances of me encountering a shark on the coast of Denmark?
Virtually zero if you are a bather. Sharks generally prefer more salt in the water than we have around the coasts of Denmark. That is why they are typically seen further out to sea.
There are no dangerous sharks on the Danish coasts and no shark attacks on humans have ever been recorded in Danish waters.
Guide to sharks and skates around Denmark
DTU Aqua has published a guide to identify the different species of sharks and skates around Denmark. The guide has been published in a revised edition and is now also available in English: Guide to sharks and skates around Denmark (link, pdf.)
