Coastal fishermen in need: 400,000 euros in help, but many questions remain!

Coastal fishermen in need: 400,000 euros in help, but many questions remain!

Fisheries in the region are at a crossroads: Prime Minister Daniel Günther is offering Baltic Sea fishermen support of 400,000 euros annually to mitigate the effects of the new no-fishing zones. These measures are intended to defuse the conflict between nature conservation and the economic interests of coastal fishermen. However, the state fisheries association is calling for fairer treatment compared to other interest groups and expresses concerns about the livelihoods of many fishermen who are severely threatened by the expanded no-fishing zones. However, fishermen in the region seem willing to discuss Günther's offer in more detail and what opportunities it presents.

But it's not just the financial pressure that's troubling the fishermen. The EU is also planning strict fishing quotas for cod and herring in the western Baltic Sea for 2025. Vice Commission President Maros Sefcovic described the stocks as being in a desperate state, leading to a proposal to drastically reduce the permitted catches: cod by 73% and herring by 50%. In the future, only 93 tons of cod and 394 tons of herring will be allowed, with no exceptions for small-scale coastal fishermen. The Association of German Cutter and Coastal Fishermen sharply criticizes these quotas because they make adequate fishing impossible.

Ecological challenges

The biodiversity in the Baltic Sea is increasingly suffering from severe pollution and overfishing. According to bfn.de, bycatch and discarding of fish species can amount to many times the number of fish landed. During this practice, food scarcity for various top predators such as seabirds and large fish species must also be taken into account. The use of heavy fishing gear puts a strain on sensitive habitats such as reefs and seamounts, further exacerbating the situation.

There are more than just challenges for fishermen in the region. The students in Emkendorf can also breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks to the commitment of parents, school buses are running via Bokelholm and Emkendorf again after construction sites caused difficulties. The construction site is scheduled to last until July 21st, after which bus traffic will be reorganized. A 30 km/h speed limit for the L318 from Neumünster to Kiel is also causing a stir. Although the signs have not yet been put up, the municipality of Bordesholm plans to put up more 30 km/h speed signs by the end of July.

Economic developments

Finally, the closure of Seidel Optik in Eckernförde must be mentioned, where the shop will close its doors after 60 years due to a shortage of skilled workers and rising prices. The situation in Eckernförde is exacerbated by increasing vacancies, although the city's business community remains optimistic about its attractiveness for retailers and restaurateurs.