North Sea and Baltic Sea - Schwarz: Creating a stable future for coastal fishermen
Coastal fishermen and fishermen in Schleswig-Holstein are currently facing many challenges, according to Fisheries Minister Werner Schwarz, who believes it's important to create "stable future prospects." Particularly for fishermen and fisherwomen along our Baltic Sea coast, who are experiencing economically challenging times, especially due to low stocks of herring and mackerel and widespread fishing bans for both species, Schwarz stated.
Similarly, the crab fishing industry has faced below-average catches in recent years. At the same time, rising operational costs, the aging fleet, and the necessary energy transformation in the context of climate change have put many businesses at their limits. Some are even considering giving up, according to Schwarz.
Fisheries Association Annual Report
This development is confirmed by the annual report published by the Schleswig-Holstein Fisheries Association. In the Baltic Sea, there were nine fewer cutters in 2023 than in 2022, and one fewer in the North Sea. In total, only 153 cutters were in operation in 2023 - 68 in the Baltic Sea and 85 in the North Sea. "Without revenue from missing fresh fish landings but ongoing costs, it's becoming increasingly difficult to maintain infrastructure," the association shared. Schleswig-Holstein's Fisheries Association is meeting for the Fisheries Day today.
However, quotas are a significant issue in the Baltic Sea fishery. Herring and mackerel are still not allowed to be targeted – the bycatch quota is also the same in 2023 as in the previous year. The quota for sprat was reduced by 11% to 14,004 tons. The quota for flounder was increased by 25% to 900 tons. There is no improvement in sight for 2024 either.
As a result, fishermen are currently fishing mainly flatfish. The stocks of these species are still developing well, according to the association. The quota for flounder could still be increased, but due to the risk of mackerel bycatch, it is recommended to maintain the old quota.
Compensation Payments and Looking to the Future
Once again in 2023, Eastern Sea fishing businesses could apply for additional days at sea to protect herring and mackerel stocks, as stated in the report. Many took advantage of this. There were also support payments due to the high fuel costs as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, there is no significant schleppnet fishing in the Baltic Sea anymore.
If now 12.5% of Schleswig-Holstein's marine area were to be placed under strict protection and fishing were to be banned there, 90% of the businesses would be at risk, warns the Fisheries Association. The state government saw this as a possibility in the spring of this year to save fish stocks in the Baltic Sea.
- Werner Schwarz, the Fisheries Minister from Germany, emphasized the need for creating stable future prospects for fishermen in Schleswig-Holstein, particularly those affected by the economically challenging times along the Baltic Sea coast due to low fish stocks and fishing bans.
- According to the annual report published by the Schleswig-Holstein Fisheries Association, the Baltic Sea saw a decrease of nine cutters in 2023 compared to 2022, and one fewer in the North Sea, leaving only 153 cutters in operation, with impacts on their revenue and infrastructure.
- With concerns about quotas, the Baltic Sea still does not allow herring and mackerel to be targeted, and the quota for sprat was reduced for 2023, leading fishermen to primarily fish flatfish, whose stocks are still developing well, as stated in the association's report.
- Werner Schwarz, the Fisheries Minister, also mentioned that if 12.5% of Schleswig-Holstein's marine area were to be strictly protected and fishing banned, 90% of the businesses could be at risk, as warned by the Fisheries Association.
