A collapsing system in the BalticStrategies for the sustainable transformation of fisheries

27 April 2026, by Franziska Neigenfind

Photo: Nina Schumann

In the German sector of the western Baltic, cod and herring stocks have declined dramatically – to less than 10 percent of their size in the 1990s. The causes include climate change, overfishing and environmental stresses, e.g. from agricultural fertilizers. The effects can be felt in the region’s economy, culture, and social fabric. An interdisciplinary research team led by Prof. Christian Möllmann, a fisheries expert from the University of Hamburg’s Earth and Society Research Hub (ESRAH), developed four plausible future scenarios for how fisheries could adapt to these challenges.

On this basis, the researchers then prepared a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of fisheries. Key measures include ecosystem-based management, fairer distribution of fishing quotas, new sources of revenue like tourism and direct sales, and the use of environmentally friendlier technologies, not to mention more social engagement to reinforce the cultural identity of fisheries in the region.

The goal of this strategy is to support a systematic transformation, ensuring the regional fishing industry remains stable and vibrant despite the uncertainties of climate change. The researchers’ concept is intended as a basis to support the work of political, economic and social decision-makers.