Denmark national fish: the European plaice (rødspætte) won the country’s first public vote on 3 October 2025, taking 17,166 of 36,327 ballots—nearly half of all votes—announced by Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (Fødevareministeriet) Jacob Jensen (V) at the Øresund Aquarium in Helsingør.
How the vote worked: 36,327 ballots and a clear winner
The month‑long vote shortlisted six species—plaice, herring, sea trout, cod, eel and mackerel—selected by a panel spanning fisheries, research and civil society. The plaice finished first ahead of herring (second) and sea trout (third), followed by cod, eel and mackerel.
Officials said the campaign was designed to spotlight life below the surface—culturally, historically and culinarily—at a time when marine ecosystems and fish stocks face mounting pressure.
Stocks under pressure: cod zero‑catch advice and eel at risk
The vote unfolded against a difficult backdrop for several candidate species. Cod in the North Sea and Skagerrak faces zero‑catch scientific advice for 2026 under precautionary scenarios, while mackerel in the Northeast Atlantic has been flagged for a ~77% catch reduction next year due to biomass falling below critical thresholds.
The European eel is listed as critically endangered, with recruitment at historically low levels. Even flatfish competitions have seen unusually small winners, a signal anglers say points to broader ecosystem stress. These trends frame the national fish as both a cultural symbol and a reminder of the conservation challenge.
Backlash over messaging: greenwashing claims and minister’s reply
The campaign drew criticism from marine scientists and NGOs. Aarhus University professor Stiig Markager called it “the biggest greenwashing experiment in Denmark’s history”, arguing that celebrating a national fish risks distracting from tougher decisions on nutrient runoff and stock management.
Three participating organisations also criticised early messaging that suggested ways to eat eel—later corrected to historical references. Minister Jacob Jensen responded that the initiative and environmental policy can coexist, saying debate about fish, the sea and protection efforts is positive.
Why the plaice matters: culture, cuisine and EU waters
The plaice is a widely known flatfish in Danish waters and cuisine, often associated with coastal fishing and traditional dishes. Its selection aligns with the panel’s criteria—recognition among the public, culinary relevance, ecological role and historical/economic significance.
For Nordic and EU readers, the result mirrors wider regional debates on sustainable fisheries, from ICES advice on total allowable catches to EU measures on eel recovery. As Denmark’s first national fish, the plaice becomes a public touchpoint to discuss marine protection, fisheries management and the future of coastal communities.
What to watch next
Implementation will be largely symbolic, but the discussion it sparks is concrete: nutrient reductions to improve Baltic and Kattegat health, alignment with ICES science in annual quota‑setting, and local projects that restore habitats for juvenile flatfish and sea trout.
The new emblem can help keep attention on policy choices in Denmark and across the Nordics/EU, where balancing seafood traditions with ecosystem recovery remains a central test.
