Why has fishing been central to Greenland’s economy?

Fishing has been central to Greenland’s economy because the island’s harsh Arctic climate and geography—characterized by a massive ice sheet covering more than four-fifths of its land area—severely limit agriculture and other land-based industries.12

Historically, the economy relied on seal hunting, but this declined in the early 20th century and was supplanted by the commercial fishing, canning, and freezing of cod, shrimp, and other marine life. Today, fish (primarily halibut) and crustaceans (primarily shrimp) constitute the island’s principal exports.1

While Greenland has attempted to diversify its economy through tourism and mineral exploration, the fishing industry remains a cornerstone of its trade and economic activity. However, this heavy dependence has also created concerns regarding the industry's susceptibility to fluctuating prices and the environmental risks of overfishing.1