The waters around Peenemünde offer very promising and diverse fishing spots. The case study exploits the touristic potential of Peenemünde and supports the sustainable development of coastal angling tourism in an economically less developed region in Germany.
Location of study site: Peenemünde is a community on the island of Usedom in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, situated in the north-east of Germany. The Peenemünde peninsula is located in the east of the bay of Greifswald, which is a border water of the Baltic Sea.
The maximum depth of the bay surrounding Peenemünde is 8–10 m. The border areas range from 0.5 to 5 m in depth and offer great wading spots. These shallow areas often lie dry, depending on the wind conditions. The average salinity of the bay of Greifswald is about 6–7 psu. Due to these osmotic conditions, fish get quite big at an early age, and for instance great pike and perch can be caught in the bay of Greifswald.
The Peenestream flows into the bay of Greifswald. Thus, the water balance is determined by the Baltic Sea exchange and the inlet of freshwater rivers flowing into the Peenestream. In the Peenestream the salinity declines further south, and the water is relatively turbid. Because of the high turbidity, the Peenestream is an excellent spot to fish for pikeperch, even during sunny days. In spring, fishing for herring and garfish is awesome, and if you take a boat out on the Baltic Sea, great cod can be caught. The geographical conditions of the study area provide side bays and embedded shoals as well as brackish and fresh water, which is ideal for a large variety of fish. Furthermore, the diverse coastline provides open spaces as well as shadowed areas near the forests.
Target fish species: Herring, garfish, pikeperch and perch.
Main angling season: In regard to the targeted fish species, the main angling season is from March till October.
Kinds of angling: Different kinds of angling are conducted by wading or from the cutter. The specific angling type depends on the targeted species.
Target group (customers): The target group focuses on single anglers as well as angling groups and societies. The region offers a range of activities for families, disabled anglers, children and youth groups, and female angling groups, but also for visitors seeking nature-based recreational activities.
Available infrastructure: Angler’s camp with hotel, restaurant, camping site, boats, two guides
Development of angling tourism: The development of coastal angling tourism in Peenemünde is rather new. The peninsula of Peenemünde was privately bought by two individuals, who recognised the economic potential of the area. Since then a range of new touristic facilities (e.g. hotel, restaurant) have been built and new angling activities have been developed. The most recent development is caused by new regulations on angling cutters and the reduced catch quota for cod, providing new challenges for some and threatening the occupational existence of others.
Points of sustainability:
- Regulations concerning closed seasons, minimum size and for some fish species even the maximum catch quota per day are in place for pikeperch, perch and garfish. Furthermore, it is prohibited to use live baitfish, keep captured fish alive in a setting net, fish without meaningful utilisation of the catch, troll in the bays and lagoons and use equipment with which fish can be injured.
- The development of Peenemünde as an angling tourism site provides new employment opportunities and economic possibilities for small, local businesses in the less developed region.
- The angling site was integrated into the surrounding protected area and is based upon common interests of the regional planning of the local community, the tourism industry, a range of angling associations and regional authorities.
Known problems:
- Rules and regulations on cutters are restricting the industry.
- High requirements for certificates for captains – past certificates are no longer valid.
- Costs for insurance and employees are rising.
- Need for networking within the angling sector, especially cross-border.
Marketing slogan:„Angeln – Erholen – Natur erleben“ (Angling – Recreation – Nature experience)
Website: www.halbinsel-peenemuende.de, www.molabeach.com
Contact: Nardine Stybel, stybel@eucc-d.de, EUCC – The Coastal Union Germany
