The Boddenhecht project

The pike is a widespread freshwater predatory fish in North America and Eurasia. It can also live and reproduce in slightly saline waters. In Germany it is particularly popular with anglers. The Bodden waters offer optimal feeding conditions for pike. Reproduction is possible up to a salinity of 10 per mil, which limits the distribution in the inner coastal waters around Rügen. Pike in the Bodden can reach impressive sizes. Other saltwater-tolerant freshwater predatory fish such as zander and perch are also common there. The Bodden waters are of great importance to local anglers, tourist angling and commercial fishing due to their rich fish stocks and high productivity. However, there are concerns about the impact of increased fishing and climate change on pike stocks. However, reliable data on the development of Bodden pike and their use are scarce.

The BODDENHECHT project

A team of young researchers is pursuing the goal of better understanding Bodden pike and their use in fisheries through interdisciplinary research. They would like to provide scientific knowledge about Bodden pike and, together with anglers, guides and commercial fishermen, develop viable management and tourism options in order to preserve and promote pike stocks in Rügen.

The BODDENHECHT project is a special practical project that was initiated by "fishers for fishers". Independent fisheries scientists and representatives of fisheries, angling tourism and the fisheries administration work together to research the main factors influencing the sandpike stocks. Migration movements are analyzed, spawning areas are delimited and accepted management options are identified.

Different interests

Conflicts on the Bodden relate to "fishing vs. nature conservation" and "angling vs. commercial fishing". Conservation conflicts focus on cormorants, seals and fishing bans.

Not surprisingly, anglers and professional fishermen argue, as can also be observed on Lake Constance. Politically, one faces the dilemma of preserving the traditional profession while at the same time promoting the advantages of recreational fishing. The gross value added of pike fishing is 32 times higher than that of commercial fishing, according to the project.

Professional fishermen catch as many pike as anglers. However, anglers already release 60% of the pike caught alive, reducing their contribution to mortality. Anglers and commercial fishermen agree on cormorant control and restoration. They agree that catch regulations such as minimum sizes and withdrawal windows should apply equally.

Legal consequences of the recommended measures

A reform of the fishing law and the fishing ordinance in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is currently pending and should be completed by the end of 2024. If the fisheries board follows the Boddenpike project's recommendations, which were reached through a consensus between anglers and commercial fishermen, the current regulations for both groups could soon change. Various proposals are discussed, including:

• Raising the minimum size for fished pike to 60 cm for anglers and commercial fishermen
• Introduction of a maximum size of 90 cm for the removal of caught pike (corresponds to a window size of 60-90 cm) for anglers
• Limiting the mesh size for pike gillnets to 60-70 mm as an indirect measure to control extraction in commercial fishing
• Reduction of the daily catch limit to 1 pike per angler
• Establishment of migratory corridors for pike on their way to spawning grounds
• Ban on spin fishing in spawning areas during the closed season

Further information: products DAFV Recommendations as PDF Project BODDENHECHT