en: New Thünen Report: National Fisheries Profile, Germany

Institute of

OF Baltic Sea Fisheries

09/22/2025

sf Sea Fisheries of Baltic Sea Fisheries

The “National Fisheries Profile Germany” provides an up-to-date overview of the structure and development of fisheries in Germany, with a focus on the social dimension. The aim is to make the special features of the sector visible and provide a scientific basis for politics and society.

The National Fisheries Profile (NFP) is based on a template provided by the STECF, the European Commission's advisory body that provides scientific, technical and economic expertise on the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy. The European Commission plans to publish the NFPs of all Member States by the end of the year.

The German fisheries sector is undergoing major changes: declining herring and cod stocks in the Baltic Sea, rising fuel prices, quota losses due to Brexit, demographic change combined with a lack of young talent, competition from marine protected areas and offshore wind farms as well as the dissolution of associations are accelerating the restructuring process. At the same time, recreational fishing is gaining in importance. Studies from the social sciences show, among other things, the importance of local coastal communities, trace conflict processes and illustrate the scope for action of different fishermen.

The structural change is currently being supported by funding programs, new training paths and an agency for the transformation of fisheries (IKTF).

You can download the full report in English “here”.

If you require a German translation, please contact: