Schleswig-Holstein fisheries face converging crises: falling catches, soaring fuel costs, and wind farm encroachment

A third year of falling landings

The state’s commercial fleet brought in 26,530 tonnes of fish in 2025, down from 30,387 in 2024 and 32,044 in 2023. Despite the volume decline, the total landed value rose sharply to €77.4 million (2024: €55.3m; 2023: €58.1m), reflecting higher fish prices. The number of main‑occupation cutters remained nearly stable at 153 (70 Baltic, 83 North Sea), just one fewer than in 2024.

Energy costs and the Hormuz choke point

Fishermen cite persistently high fuel prices, exacerbated by the Middle East situation and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted oil supply chains. The association is calling for financial aid similar to the 2022 support granted after the Ukraine war began.

Each individual wind park may only represent a small area, but taken together, it is now a large loss of territory.

Losing ground to wind parks

Safety zones around offshore wind farms, particularly in the North Sea, are off‑limits to fishing. Fishermen are pushing for co‑use arrangements; the Netherlands is currently testing defined zones inside a wind park where fishing is allowed.

Baltic Sea: bans and shrinking compensation

In the Baltic, targeted cod and herring fishing remained prohibited in 2025, as in the two previous years. Only a modest bycatch quota was available and not fully used. Fishers received compensation for additional rest days in 2025, but these standby payments are set to be paid for the last time in 2026.

New protected zones harden the squeeze

New Baltic Sea protected areas are being designated, with one report noting that 12.5 percent of the sea will be affected, further reducing accessible grounds. Combined with fuel costs and catch restrictions, the industry faces an uncertain outlook ahead of Friday’s state fishing day.