cod

Since January 1, 2024, fishing for cod in the Baltic Sea has been prohibited for anglers. The responsible EU ministers made this decision in October 2023. However, the German Anglers' Association (DAFV) is convinced that other measures, such as a bag limit, a catch window, and a closed season, would be significantly more effective in stabilizing the severely reduced cod stocks and returning them to normal levels in the future. Anglers have a clear advantage over commercial fishermen. They can consciously influence catches through the aforementioned measures and thus actively contribute to the protection of the species.

But commercial fishermen are also affected by the new regulation. Commercial fishermen are now only permitted to take cod as bycatch and are no longer permitted to target it. In Germany, the current catch limit is 73 tons of cod.

The Thünen Institute in Wismar believes that overfishing and climate change due to environmental influences are the main causes of the catastrophic decline in cod populations in recent years.

It is a fact that excessive agricultural fertilization in coastal areas is flushing large quantities of fertilizer and thus nutrients into the Baltic Sea, including via rivers. This leads to increased algae growth, which is then decomposed by bacteria. This process consumes a large amount of oxygen in the water, depriving the cod of their livelihood.

Talking to the fishermen on the island reveals other factors that could play a major role, some of which I believe are not insignificant. The cormorant and the steadily increasing number of grey seals in the Baltic Sea play a crucial role here.

The cormorant is an invasive bird species that causes massive damage to native fauna. It not only consumes vast quantities of fish, but also attacks and seriously injures numerous individuals without actually consuming them. Despite all the radical and, by extension, populist conservation organizations like NABU (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union), PETA (Petroleum and Biodiversity Conservation Union), it is imperative that a sustainable population level be established and then regulated accordingly.

The cod (Gadus morhua) is an important fish in the coastal waters of the North and Baltic Seas and belongs to the cod family (Gadidae). Here are some important biological characteristics of the cod:

Body shape: The cod has an elongated body with a characteristic, slightly rounded dorsal line.

Color: The upper surface is olive green to brown, with lighter sides and a white belly.

Barbet: A distinctive feature is the barbet (a type of sensory organ) on the chin, which the cod uses to probe the bottom for food.

Size: Cod can grow up to 1.5 meters long, although in the Baltic Sea they are usually around 40 to 70 cm long.

Cod are bottom-feeding fish that live in coastal waters, especially in the cold waters of the North and Baltic Seas. They prefer sandy or muddy bottoms where they forage. Juvenile cod tend to stay in shallow coastal areas, while adults are found in deeper parts of the sea.

Cod is a predatory fish and feeds primarily on fish such as herring, sand eels, and small cod. It also eats crustaceans and mollusks. Cod is also known for its ability to search the bottom for prey.

Cod spawn in winter, mainly from January to March. The spawning process takes place in deep, cold water. Female cod lay millions of eggs, which are then fertilized by the male. The cod larvae develop into juveniles within about two weeks, which migrate to shallower waters.

Cod are solitary animals that only gather in larger groups for breeding. They are known for their ability to seek out deep waters where they hunt for prey. The life expectancy of a cod can be up to 20 years, but many only reach about 5 to 10 years due to fishing activities.

The Baltic Sea is a relatively nutrient-poor and low-salt body of water compared to the open sea, which makes cod particularly adapted to these conditions. The lower salt concentration in the Baltic Sea influences its development and reproduction. The cod population in the Baltic Sea is severely threatened, primarily due to overfishing, environmental changes, and over-fertilization of water bodies, which impair living conditions. Cod is therefore an ecologically important fish, both in the Baltic Sea and other northern seas, and its biology is closely linked to the ecological conditions of its habitats.

If the cod population recovers and fishing is permitted again, I will provide all important information here as soon as possible. Let's hope for the best!