Greenland’s prawn fishing industry is going through difficult times. Declining catch volumes and lower quotas are putting a strain on the fishing industry and jeopardising jobs. Sisimiut has been particularly hard hit, with the fishing company Royal Greenland having to significantly reduce its production. However, new scientific studies give cause for cautious optimism for 2027.
As reported by Greenlandic broadcaster KNR on 6 October 2026, the number of employees at Royal Greenland’s prawn processing plant in Sisimiut has fallen considerably within a year. Whereas 137 people were previously employed there, the figure now stands at just 90 to 95. Working hours have also been gradually reduced due to lower prawn deliveries.
This trend has been evident for several years now. According to the trade journal Fiskerbladet, prawn catches in the first half of the year fell from 55,375 tonnes in 2022 to 39,470 tonnes in 2026. This represents a decline of just under 29 per cent. At the same time, cod stocks have recovered. As cod also feed on prawns, the increasing numbers of these predatory fish could further intensify the pressure on prawn stocks.
There are now initial signs of a possible recovery. On 2 October, the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources announced that the Scientific Council of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) recommends a catch limit of 80,000 tonnes off West Greenland for 2027. This is 5,000 tonnes more than in the scientific recommendation for 2026. The recommendation is based on new stock assessments, which point to an increase in shrimp biomass and improved catch rates.
It remains to be seen whether the improved stock outlook will actually lead to higher catch volumes and provide some relief for the fishing industry. The final catch quotas will be set by the Greenlandic government. For coastal communities such as Sisimiut, the stakes are high: the prawn fishery provides numerous jobs and is a vital pillar of the regional economy.
Heiner Kubny / PolarJournal