Climate change is bringing the fishing industry to its knees

The sea ice, which is essential for the existence of the fishing industry in Greenland, is disappearing rapidly due to climate change, according to the Greenland Climate Research Center at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources.

The significant changes in ice conditions in recent years are creating difficult conditions for many hunters and their families, say experienced hunters in Savissivik.

Big consequences

Seal skin trading is the main source of income for local trappers in the remote village of Savissivik, which has a population of around 50. Previously, there was solid sea ice as early as October in and around Savissivik, but the ice has started to come in considerably later in recent years, says Olennguaq Kristensen, a trapper in the village.

- This year we got navigable ice in December, after which we set seal nets. But after just two weeks the ice was quickly broken up again by wind and waves because the ice has become significantly thinner compared to before. For this reason, I and other trappers lost several seal nets.

- I inspected the newly laid ice recently only to find that it is not yet passable at all. We are experiencing temperatures now this time of year, which has not been the case before. The changed ice conditions have therefore had major consequences for the fishing industry in Savissivik, he says.

In addition to being a trapper, Olennguaq Kristensen is also a seal skin procurement employee in the settlement. According to him, many sealskins used to be purchased at this time of year, whereas now he only receives a few per week.

Large drop in earnings

Ole Nielsen, who is also a trapper in Savissivik, is also experiencing a large drop in earnings from seal skins.

- My last hunting trip on a dog sled was shortly before Christmas. It was ice-laying recently, but it quickly broke up again due to the wind. Due to the lack of ice, we can no longer even get to the places where we used to set seal nets.

- I usually buy well over 100 sealskins this time of year, but I haven't even reached halfway yet.

- The ice is still very thin because there are often thaws, but I hope that we will get solid and passable ice during the winter, he says.

The Greenland Government can provide re-establishment support to commercial fishermen, commercial trappers and commercial farmers. The applicant must document property damage, loss of business-related equipment or similar obstacles caused by climatic difficulties or disaster-like events.

According to Olennguaq Kristensen and Ole Nielsen, several local hunters in Savissivik have had their applications for re-establishment support rejected.

Getting even worse

According to Lorens Meire, a senior researcher at the Greenland Climate Research Center at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, there is reason to be concerned about the future.

- According to the data we have, we can clearly see that the sea ice has become much smaller in Qaanaaq and the area. The local fishermen from the area also say that the ice has become thinner, and that it has started to come much later and that it is disappearing faster.

- The experiences that the fishermen tell us match the data we have. The changed ice conditions are due to the sea and air temperatures becoming warmer, but also because the wind has become stronger and more persistent, he says.

The senior researcher says that ice conditions in this region, but also in general throughout West Greenland, have changed a lot due to climate change, and that it also seems that climate conditions will get even worse in the future, when the ice becomes thinner.

Sad and worrying

Lorens Meire states that new conditions are occurring in several places in Greenland, where the hunting industry is the most important source of income.

- It is of course a very sad situation as it affects the fishing industry a lot. There will be years when the ice is a little thicker, but our data shows that the ice has become significantly thinner over the last 30 years or so, and all models show that this trend will continue in the future.

- The problem is very general throughout Greenland. It affects the ecosystem both on land and in the sea, which is why I think it is a very worrying development, he says.

According to him, it is important to get input about the changes from the catching and fishing industry so that this data can be used in the climate research center.