Aarhus Port plans to deposit 400,000 cubic meters of soil in the Kattegat, which has raised significant concern among Danish recreational fishermen who fear for future catches and the health of the marine environment. This action, part of the port’s expansion project, requires approval from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (Miljøstyrelsen), as it involves so-called dumping, where the soil is not recycled but simply dumped into the sea. Morten Jacobsen, vice chairman of the Danish Anglers Association, expresses deep frustration over the situation. “It’s just another nail in the coffin we are burying our marine environment in,” he told TV 2 East. Jacobsen, who has many years of experience as a recreational fisherman, believes that the marine environment is already under intense pressure and cannot tolerate further stress.
According to Aarhus Port, dumping is the most CO2-friendly solution, as the alternative – cleaning and reusing the soil – would be both more expensive and time-consuming. However, the port emphasizes that they are aware of environmental concerns and are trying to minimize negative effects. Stiig Markager, a professor of marine environment at Aarhus University, warns that even if the soil does not exceed official pollution limits, it can still have serious consequences for marine animals and plants. “The excess soil will ultimately kill marine animals,” he explains. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency has not yet made a decision on granting permission for the dumping, and the debate continues among environmentalists, businesses, and local authorities.
Recreational fishermen like Jacobsen hope that their concerns will be heard and that a more sustainable solution will be found for handling excess soil.