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AV Fishing vessels in Copenhagen harbour
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GV Fishing vessels pull out of harbour (6 shots)
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MV Crew member pulls in rope
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MV Crew on deck
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GV Fishing boats in harbour (2 shots)
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AV fishing vessels blocking entrance to Elsinore harbour
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AV Ferry boats in dock
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AV Fishing vessels blockading harbour entrance
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AV Ferries at quayside
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Initials BB/1935



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Danish fishermen blockaded the entrance to Copenhagen harbour and other Danish ports on Friday (5 May), to protest at what they see as their government's inaction over reduced fishing rights in the Baltic Sea.

SYNOPSIS: The aim of the blockade on Copenhagen harbour was to disrupt sea traffic between Sweden and Zealand, the island on which the Danish capital stands. And those most affected by their action were passengers on the various car-ferries linking Copenhagen with other Baltic cities. The fishermen are demanding increased catch quotas, or government compensation for catch losses which have resulted from other Baltic countries extending their fishing limits during the past year. The Danish opposition Fisheries Minister announced recently that as a result of fishing zone changes in the Baltic, the Danish catch quota had been cut from 50,000 tons in 1977 to 40,000 tons this year. Sweden, East Germany, Poland and the Soviet Union are the countries which have moved into traditional Danish waters by extending their own fishing limits. Danish fishermen have urged their government to open direct talks with these countries in order to redress the situation.

Reuter report that the fishermen called off their blockade soon after it started, because a Parliamentary Fisheries Committee agreed to meet their representatives. Following that meeting, the fishermen threatened another, bigger demonstration if their demands for increased catch quotas, or government support worth 12.5 million dollars were not met.