Sustainable angling is about providing visiting and local anglers with the best possible conditions for engaging in memorable fishing experiences, while at the same time developing and preserving the natural and aquatic resources that provide the foundation for all angling activities. In other words, all fisheries and angling activities that are developed and marketed within the South Baltic Region should be able to sustain their own weight and, furthermore, be managed with a view to the future. As a result, all CATCH members in Poland, Lithuania, Germany and Denmark have committed themselves to supporting sustainable management of the South Baltic Region fisheries, and to making sure that the fish stocks and natural resources aren’t negatively impacted by the ongoing development of recreational fishing tourism activities.
You can read more about the CATCH-project here and also visit the project’s website here.
CATCH is committed to sustainable angling principles and practices. We believe that there is great potential for further developing recreational fishing tourism in the South Baltic Region, but we also acknowledge the need for regulatory measures and fisheries management efforts.
Generally speaking, sustainability is about creating social and environmental value, not just economic value. It’s a responsible model that fosters resource consciousness and considers the environmental impacts of all associated activities.
We want to see the revenue generated from the development of the fishing tourism potential in the region partly reinvested in the natural resources and fish stocks that provide the foundation for our existence in order to retain good fishing in the future.
To prevent declines in fish stocks and to make sure there is still sufficient room and quietude for visiting anglers to enjoy their hobby, conservation periods and minimum measurements have been introduced. Minimum sizes have been introduced for species like perch, pike, zander, trout and salmon, and there are areas where strict catch and release practices and bag limits have been set. Furthermore, there are ongoing discussions about introducing window measurements (a combination of minimum and maximum sizes) in areas that require special attention and protection.
Generally speaking, anglers are becoming more and more environmentally conscious and aware of the need to properly manage and protect fish stocks. As a result, proper catch and release and fish handling practices are very important (when a fish is released, it is obviously supposed to survive).
Within the CATCH project, Fishing Zealand, Denmark has made a film about catch and release practices, which provides tips and tricks on how to handle brackish water pike, what gear to bring and what to keep in mind. You can watch the film here:
Another film that offers helpful insights is Fishing Zealand’s film about the fishing rules (both written and unwritten) and etiquette in Denmark. This film will help you with the main information, like fishing licences and minimum length, and show you how to behave in nature and how to respect fellow anglers:
