A Danish fisherman and his crew pulled in a 367-kilogram bluefin tuna from the Øresund Strait, marking the largest catch of its kind in Denmark in over 75 years. The dramatic struggle to land the fish captivated those on board and highlighted the resilience of fishing in Denmark.
A Battle at Sea
What began as an ordinary fishing trip quickly turned into a high-stakes encounter with a giant of the sea. Hans Hagerup, a seasoned skipper and lifelong angler, set out with three fellow fishermen on the Øresund Strait off northeastern Denmark. On the twelfth day of an extended fishing effort, their patience paid off when they hooked what turned out to be a bluefin tuna—the largest seen in Danish waters since 1950. It was a moment they would never forget.
As the fish took the bait, chaos erupted on the modest six-meter boat. The team scrambled to bring in the other lines and braced for a monumental battle. The tuna quickly revealed its power, towing the boat in different directions and rendering the engine nearly useless. Despite putting the motor in reverse to counter the fish’s movement, the boat remained immobile, underscoring the animal’s remarkable strength. By the end, they were tired but happy with their catch. Another unforgettable day of fishing in Denmark.
More Than Just a Catch
For Hans Hagerup, who left his engineering career behind to pursue a life on the sea, the encounter was the culmination of decades of passion for fishing in Denmark. Licensed through a rare lottery system managed by DTU Aqua—the Danish national institute for aquatic research—his colleague Bernhard Christensen had obtained a permit to catch a single bluefin tuna as part of a national survey. Only 20 permits were granted out of more than 60 applications from Denmark’s most experienced anglers.
Having spent their lives honing their craft, the four-man crew—Hagerup, Christensen, Lars Pryds, and Søren Jensen—were well-prepared. Nevertheless, the experience pushed them to their physical and mental limits. The fish pulled fiercely for over two hours, nearly dragging the boat backward into its own propeller as it attempted to dive under the vessel.
A Historic Fish
Eventually, the exhausted tuna surfaced. The team acted quickly, ending the struggle using a humane method—piercing the heart of the fish. As blood colored the water, they realized the magnitude of their achievement. Measuring around two meters in girth and weighing in at an astonishing 367 kilograms (809 pounds), this bluefin tuna was not just any catch. It was the heaviest fish caught in Denmark since 1950.
To bring the beast ashore, they inserted two industrial lifting hooks into its jaw and towed it toward Gilleleje harbor. The catch wasn’t just a personal milestone—it became a national marine biology triumph. In a time when marine ecosystems face growing environmental challenges, the incident was a rare but welcome reminder of nature’s resilience.
Work Continues on Land
The landing of the tuna was far from the end of the work. A team of six men spent six hours processing the fish. With the aid of 600 kilograms (1,323 pounds) of ice to cool it down and industrial equipment like chainsaws and specialty knives, they carefully portioned the meat—a task far too complex for an ordinary kitchen setting.
Because the catch was made under a scientific permit, it was not allowed to be sold. Instead, the meat was divided among 15 to 20 people who had taken part in the tuna research project. Each person received an estimated 10 to 15 kilograms of meat, amounting to approximately 75 meals per share.
One for the Record Books
While bluefin tuna often sell for astronomical sums on the international market—sometimes reaching millions of dollars—this historic Danish specimen will not earn its catchers a profit. Still, the team values the experience over any financial gain. They regard the catch not only as the fulfillment of a childhood dream but also as a singular, unforgettable chapter in their lifelong relationship fishing in Denmark.
Though larger tuna may still roam the depths of Danish waters, the fishermen agree: this one was more than enough.
