The Stralsund prosecutor's office has issued penal orders against two fishermen from the island of Rügen, holding them responsible for the death of protected grey seals in 2024. The men, aged 43 and 66, were fined the equivalent of three months' earnings. According to investigators, the fishermen failed to use protective measures, leading to the drowning of animals foraging in nets.

Charges for Fishermen

Two men, aged 43 and 66, will answer for the death of protected grey seals off the coast of Rügen.

Lack of Net Safeguards

The investigation revealed that the fishermen did not install escape grids in their fyke nets, leading to the drowning of the animals.

High Financial Penalties

Penal orders were issued, including fines equivalent to three months' earnings for each of the accused.

The German justice system is holding individuals accountable for the tragic events off the coast of Rügen in the autumn of 2024. At that time, the sea began washing up numerous dead grey seals, sparking outrage among environmentalists and the local community. The Stralsund prosecutor's office, after conducting a meticulous investigation, filed motions with the court for penal orders against two professional fishermen. Investigators proved that the men, aged 43 and 66, failed to secure their fishing gear, which directly contributed to the death of at least five individuals, though speculation points to a much higher number of victims. The grey seal, once a species nearly eradicated in the Baltic Sea, has been slowly recovering its population over recent decades thanks to strict legal protection and international conventions. However, the conflict of interest between fisheries and marine mammal protection remains one of the greatest challenges for the Baltic Sea ecosystem.The mechanism of the tragedy was repetitive: seals, lured by easy prey, entered the fyke nets used by the accused. As these animals are mammals, they must regularly surface to breathe. The lack of proper escape grids prevented their exit, leading to the animals suffocating underwater. The prosecutor's office deemed this a violation of the Animal Welfare Act. The fishermen were given financial penalties equivalent to their three-month incomes. If they do not object within two weeks, the rulings will become legally binding. Otherwise, the case will go to the docket of the Local Court. 40 — as many as 40 seals may have died due to negligence The fishermen's defense and the accused themselves now have time to analyze the prosecutor's decision. This case sets an important precedent for the entire Baltic region, emphasizing that species protection is not merely a paper record but entails real criminal liability. Local environmental organizations hope this verdict will encourage other fishermen to use safer fishing techniques, such as nets equipped with warning systems or mechanical barriers preventing large animals from entering the trap. Liberal media highlight the success of nature conservation and the need for strict punishment for the destruction of the Baltic ecosystem by the fishing sector. | Conservative media emphasize the difficult situation of fishermen and assess the amount of the fines as a severe penalty for unintentional incidents.