Adaptation of the Western
Baltic Coastal Fishery to
Climate Change
STAKEHOLDER
The stakeholder dialogue was another element that was introduced at the start of the balt_ADAPT project. This involves an exchange (online and in person) with interested user and interest groups along the western Baltic Sea coast every two months. Who exactly participates in the stakeholder dialog and what the contents of the past meetings were can be found down below on this webpage.
Fisheries
Fishing business André Albrecht
André Albrecht
Heike Albrecht
Fishing business Michael Petersen
Michael Petersen
Fisheries Association Schleswig-Holstein e.V.
Wolfgang Albrecht
Nature Conversation (NGOs)
Other participants
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
in the "AktivRegion Ostseeküste e.V."
Uwe Sturm (Action Group speaker)
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
in the "AktivRegion Hügelland am Ostseestrand"
Katharina Mahrt (Action Group speaker)
Baltic Sea Info-Center Eckernförde
Till Holsten
Administration
Advisory role
DIALOGUE CONTENT
The balt_ADAPT team strives for close cooperation with various interest groups (stakeholders) and invited to a first meeting as soon as the project started. Due to the ongoing restrictions caused by Corona, the first exchange of interests took place online. Representatives from the fields of fisheries, science and nature conservation spoke in a pleasant atmosphere about the current situation of small coastal fisheries in the western Baltic Sea and their future prospects, taking into account climate change and the market economy situation caused by Corona. In addition, the strategic direction of the cooperation in the project was outlined and the first focal points defined. The next meeting is expected to take place at the end of June.
At the second exchange of interests within balt_ADAPT, representatives from fisheries, nature conversation and science met again. This time on the agenda were questions about the determination of the catch quotas and the condition of the western Baltic cod. A representative of the Federal Agency for Food and Agriculture (BLE) demonstrated how the catch quotas for the Baltic Sea are distributed among the various fishing sectors (organized and non-organized fishermen). A lively discussion followed, in which, for example, ambiguities regarding the quotas for part-time jobs could be cleared up. Afterwards Christian Möllmann presented current stock estimates of the western cod stock. In addition to fishing and climate change, the participants also pointed out the influence of the growing cormorant and gray seal population, which could possibly have a negative impact on the fish stocks in the Baltic Sea. Current research results on this topic will be presented, among other things, at the next meeting, probably on September 8th. We hope again for lively discussions between all participants.
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The third stakeholder meeting took place in the Baltic Sea Info Center in Eckernförde. This was the first in person meeting since the start of the balt_ADAPT project. The invited experts provided exciting insights about the role of harbor porpoises (Prof. Prof. hc Dr. Ursula Siebert - University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover) and cormorants (Bernd Koop - Ornithological Working Group for SH & HH) in the western Baltic Sea. The speakers also provided current information on population size of the respective species and on existing conflicts with inshore fisheries as well as successful measures to minimize conflict. Till Holsten (Baltic Sea Info Center) presented the voluntary agreement for the protection of harbor porpoises and diving sea ducks, which is well received by the coastal fisheries and constructively supported by nature conservation associations. During this exchange of interests, we again experienced a variety of questions and a lively discussion. The next meeting will be held in December.
The 4th Coastal Fisheries Dialogue took place virtually on 7 December. Once again, we were able to attract a committed speaker, this time on the topic of "Eel - planned fishing ban". In addition to this exciting presentation, this meeting was entirely focussed on interactive exchange. For the first time, the stakeholders and scientists of the balt_ADAPT team tried their hand at participatory modelling. On the one hand, this form of modelling makes it possible to uncover and recognise different types of knowledge (e.g. fishermen's knowledge, experiential knowledge, local knowledge) of the various user and interest groups. Furthermore, this approach promotes a common understanding of a system. Divided into two groups, the social-ecological network around the topic of "coastal fishing in Schleswig-Holstein" was to be developed jointly. Ecological, economic and social components of the system were taken into account. The joint modelling was supported by an online programme and the results were then discussed.
We are continuing our stakeholder dialogue in 2022. The kick-off took place online on 29 February 2022. The three-year SpaCeParti project, which is part of the DAM research mission sustainMare and aims to identify options for action to conserve biodiversity and fisheries, was presented at the beginning. The project coordinator is Prof. Marie-Catherine Riekhof (Centre for Ocean & Society). The project aims to work closely with balt_ADAPT, both on a scientific and participatory level. Another item on the agenda was the continuation of the mental models on the topic of coastal fisheries in Schleswig-Holstein. In the ensuing discussion, it was clearly emphasised that self-marketing is essential for the preservation of small-scale coastal fisheries in the western Baltic Sea. In order to convince customers of the high quality of fishery products, it is particularly important to raise awareness of the sustainability of the products. Targeted campaigns can help to realise this project. Katja Hockun (DUH) then presented the Future Commission for Fisheries described in the new coalition agreement and suggested collecting ideas on what such a commission could look like in order to achieve a balanced composition.
This time, the balt_ADAPT Coastal Fisheries Dialogue took place in the historic setting of the old fish smokehouse in Eckernförde. The meeting began with an exchange of the latest news from the region relating to fishing and fisheries policy. After a small refreshment and an exciting tour of the building, the second part of the meeting was followed by a creative insight into the resource and land use conflicts on the coast of Schleswig Holstein. More specifically, the participants focussed on the regions of Eckernförde, Stein Wendtorf and Fehmarn. The existing local sectors (e.g. tourism, protected areas, military areas) were graphically depicted on large maps of the respective regions. The relationship between the sectors was also illustrated. Particular attention was paid to identifying potential conflicts in relation to fisheries. The results were then discussed together.
On 7 September 2022, we met with our stakeholders in the beautiful fishing harbour in Niendorf. The meeting began with reports on the current state of flatfish in the Baltic Sea. The fishermen reported that plaice and flounder are currently very small and lean. This led to a discussion about the upcoming quota negotiations. This was followed by an exchange on possible protection measures in the 12 nautical mile zone and a reference to the national implementation of measures to protect flatfish stocks. Other projects that could promote cooperation between fisheries and nature conservation, among other things, were also discussed. Another ongoing topic: the need for Diversification in fisheries was also debated. The 7th Small-scale Coastal Fishing Dialogue was crowned by a cutter trip on the NIE21 - out on the Baltic Sea in sunshine and only a slight wave. In addition to pipefish, flatfish and eel, a few cod were also netted, giving all participants a small insight into the current fishing situation for fishermen. The next meeting is expected to take place in December.
The 8th dialogue on small-scale coastal fisheries took place on the island of Fehmarn in Burg. Dr. Moll presented the preliminary results of the sensitivity analyses carried out in the balt_ADAPT project for 22 Baltic Sea fish species. According to these analyses, it is to be expected that the critical life stages of herring and cod, for example, will most likely suffer even more from future climatic changes, while the black goby, for example, will mostly benefit. In the second presentation of the day, Mr Brenner (Project CONMAR) impressively demonstrated how another factor negatively affects the ecosystem and thus the basis of coastal fishing: ammunition dumps. Mr Brenner described how and where war ammunition entered the Baltic Sea, the extent of the pollution today and what recovery measures are being sought for the future. After a lunch break, the current EU funding policy and the challenges it poses for small-scale coastal fisheries (boats < 8 metres) were discussed. In addition, the Guiding Principles Commission "The Future of German Baltic Sea Fisheries", which was recently set up by the BMEL, was presented. The aim of the commission is to develop a sustainable and future-proof model for German Baltic Sea fisheries and to provide concrete measures for political implementation. Prof. Riekhof, who is also involved in the balt_ADAPT project, has taken over the chairmanship of the commission.
This time in Neustadt, a diverse exchange with and between our stakeholders took place once again. There were contributions on the main topics: Cod of the western Baltic Sea (>Steffen Funk, University of Hamburg & >Felix Mittermayer, GEOMAR), eutrophication (>Gunnar Gerth-Hansen), EU Water Framework Directive and EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Franziska Junge, >MEKUN) as well as the planned Baltic Sea National Park (Svaantje Bennecke & Franziska Junge, >MEKUN).
A very special Coastal Fishing Dialogue was held to mark the anniversary: at the fishing cutter "Einigkeit" owned by Thomas Deutsch in Heiligenhafen participants listened to exciting talks over coffee and cookies. This time the topics were: "Baltic Sea fisheries in a changing climate" - Katharina Fietz & Isabel Seeger (DUH), Tobias Reßing (University of Hamburg) and Wolfgang Albrecht (FSV), "Coastal oxygen minimum zones in the Baltic Sea" - Helmke Hepach & Cathleen Schlundt (GEOMAR) and "News on the cormorant" - Bernd Knoop (OAG SH). In addition, Oilver Greve (FG Wismar Bay) and Kai de Graaf (CeOS, University of Kiel) from the SpaCeParti Reallabor Wismar Bay presented news on the pilot training Sea Ranger. Of course, a lot was noted down, discussed and planned for the future. This opportunity for exchange is greatly appreciated by all and strengthens the common vision of contributing to sustainable and adaptable coastal fisheries.