Nominations Open for Danish Fisher of the Year 2026, Closing November 20, Winner Revealed January 29 in Ringkøbing

Nominations for Denmark's "Fisher of the Year 2026" award are now open. According to a report by Danish publication Fiskeritidende on October 29, 2026, the newspaper co-hosts the award with AL Sydbank and is currently seeking nominations from all parties.

Nominations are to be sent by email to sbt@dkfisk.dk, with a deadline of November 20. After nominations close, a four-member judging panel will review the candidates. The panel members are: Flemming Christensen, director of the Fisheries Working Environment Council; Anders Olesen, operator of the Thyborøn fish market; Jørgen Eriksen, fisheries director at AL Sydbank; and Svend Boye Thomsen, editor-in-chief of Fiskeritidende.

What kind of fisherman can come under the panel's consideration? The report gives a fairly broad scope: the core condition is that the candidate loves Danish fisheries and has done something out of the ordinary. This could mean building or refitting a fishing vessel, trying a new fishing method, speaking out in industry discussions, finding a creative solution, or simply being the best skipper or deckhand anyone can think of. The report describes the award as having "a high threshold but also plenty of room."

The award was first presented in 2016, and the report calls it a tradition that has gradually become established—an honorary award reflecting what is worth being proud of in Danish fisheries.

The official announcement ceremony will take place at the Fisheries Conference (Fiskerikonferencen) on January 29 at Hotel Fjordgaarden in Ringkøbing. The conference will also feature a number of presentations, debates and a dinner afterward, with the detailed program to be announced later this year.