Copenhagen’s native fish population is set to get a boost after SailGP donated 25 fishing nurseries as part of its local impact project in the city.

The 25 nurseries, which are known as ‘biohuts’, offer a place for young and vulnerable fish to feed and hide from predators.

Images: Remy Dubas

A biohut consists of a steel cage with an inner grid box filled with empty oyster shells, which attract the growth of algae. The outer grid protects young fish less than three centimeters long while the inner grid provides shelter and food.

Copenhagen already houses more fishing nurseries than any other city in the world, with 100 located in the port. Since they were introduced in June 2021, several different fish species have been spotted, including wrasses, kelp needles and the critically endangered eel.

Now, SailGP’s donation will raise the total number of sea nurseries in Copenhagen to 125, helping to protect native fish populations in the most vulnerable part of their development.

The impact project is part of SailGP’s year-round purpose-led calendar of sustainable initiatives in which the league collaborates with each venue on the Season 3 tour.

Season 3 // ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix // Biohut in Copenhagen

Speaking about the donation, SailGP’s director of purpose and impact Fiona Morgan said: “We are very happy to donate 25 fish nurseries to the Port of Copenhagen, so we can support the local marine ecosystem here and help the fish population to even better well-being.”

The 25 new fish nurseries will be placed around Copenhagen habor by By&Havn. Managing director Anne Skovbro added: “A clean and healthy harbor environment plays an important role in the well-being of the citizens, and therefore we are very excited that, with now 125 fishing nurseries, we are helping to make the blue part of the city a little greener, while at the same time we are contributing to a slightly wilder harbor nature.”

The first biohuts were set up in Copenhagen by the WWF World Nature Fund in partnership with By&Havn.

Thomas Kirk Sørensen, marine biologist and senior advisor at WWF World Wildlife Fund, said: “Each and every new fish nursery makes its contribution to a strengthened balance in our marine ecosystems. It is therefore very gratifying that there will now be even more biohuts that can promote a wilder harbor nature in Copenhagen and increase knowledge of life under the surface of the sea.”