The case study provides an overview of the current state of coastal angling tourism on the popular south-west coast of Poland, which can then be used to support the sustainable development of coastal angling tourism in Poland.
Location of study sites: The Szczecin Shoreland (the westernmost part of the Polish coast) occupies territories around the Szczecin Lagoon, the estuary of the Odra River and the Pomeranian Bay shores. The study site of the Pomeranian Bay includes the Polish part of the bay, reaching from the city of Świnoujście to the lighthouse in Gąski. The Szczecin Lagoon is the most southern coastal bay on the Baltic Sea. The Polish part covers about 410 sq km and includes several lakes and lagoons, as well as the Świna and Dziwna straits. The Odra River flows into the lagoon, so that the area becomes part of the extensive estuary system. The lagoon is connected with the Baltic Sea through the three straits. As a result of difficult water exchange with the sea, the water reservoir belongs to the brackish waters. The average salinity lies between 0.5 and 2 psu, although sometimes more salt water penetrates the Świna, raising the salinity to 6 psu. Its natural average depth is 3.8 m. The depth of shipping channels can exceed 10.5 m, however.
Target fish species:
- Szczecin Lagoon: perch, pikeperch, pike, bream and asp.
Pomeranian Bay: cod, garfish, sea trout and some flatfish. - Main angling season: The main angling season in the Szczecin Lagoon for perch begins in mid-September. Pikeperch is targeted by anglers in Szczecin Lagoon from mid-October until the water is frozen. Afterwards both species can be caught via ice fishing. Pike can be fished from October till November. The main season for garfish is in the middle of May. Cod can be caught the whole year, but especially in early spring and late autumn. The angling season for sea trout in the Pomeranian Bay starts on 15 November.
Kinds of angling: At Szczecin Lagoon float angling as well as feeder, casting and trolling are popular kinds of angling. In the Pomeranian Bay surfcasting and trolling are the main kinds of angling.
Target group (customers): Due to the lack of recorded data, the target group of coastal angling tourism in the study areas is not defined yet. Thus, it is important to reach out to anglers, tourism providers, accommodation providers, local tourism associations, boat rental companies, stores for anglers, municipality representatives and scientific authorities in order to gather data.
Available infrastructure: Tourist information centres, common accommodation, restaurants, boat rental and angling shops.
Development of angling tourism: Due to the lack of data, the development of coastal angling tourism in the study areas was not recorded.
Points of sustainability:
- The only sustainability rules connected with coastal angling in Poland refer to ecological aspects (closed seasons and protected areas). Thus, one of the most important outcomes of the CATCH project lies in sustainable coastal angling rules, referring to the social and economic aspects.
- Several regulations concerning closed seasons, the minimum length of the targeted fish species and the maximum catch quota per day were established, according to the regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development dated 6 July 2015, applying to perch, pike, roach, bream, asp, pikeperch and sea trout.
Known problems: A central system for collection of coastal angling statistical data is lacking (e.g. recreational angling catch data). Moreover, conflicts with other coastal users are an issue (e.g. occupational fishermen).
Marketing slogan: “Pol. Zachodniopomorskie – Morze Przygody” (West Pomerania – Sea of Adventure)
Website: www.morzeprzygody.eu
Contact: Jakub Skorupski, jakub@gajanet.pl, Green Federation “GAJA”; Marcin Budniak, marcinb@gajanet.pl, Green Federation “GAJA”; Aneta Kozłowska, anetak@gajanet.pl, Green Federation “GAJA”
