The Danish Directorate of Fisheries is responsible for administration, regulation, monitoring and inspection of fisheries activities in Denmark.The main purpose is to work for an appropriate use of the fish resources.
The inspection includes hygiene and sanitary conditions in order to safeguard the consumers against food products that do not comply with set quality standards.The hygiene inspection is carried out at sea and in the harbours on board the fishing vessels, during landing activities, at auctions, collection centres or at the premises of the first buyer.
The Directorate takes part in the law process and makes national regulation on fisheries activities.It is represented in various international committees, working groups in the EU and other international institutions. An important responsibility is to work out primary statistics on fisheries in Denmark and to report, for instance to the EU and other international institutions.
Responsibility also extends to landing inspections, including inspections of fish landings and logbooks, 24 hour fisheries monitoring, as well as inspection of fisheries activities in fresh water and close to the coast line (including fishing for recreational purposes).
The inspection is to ensure that EU regulations and national legislation are observed at all times.The Directorate also carries out towing and rescue jobs.
The Danish Directorate for Fisheries comprises a central unit with 65 members of staff, three fisheries inspectorates with 115 members of staff and four fisheries inspection vessels with 80 members of staff.