The multiannual management plan for cod in the Baltic Sea: reactions and sentiments in two German fishing communities

Just before and one and a half years after the implementation of the Multiannual Management Plan for the Cod Stocks in the Baltic Sea, the same two fishing communities on the German Baltic coast were visited to try to understand the impacts of the plan. Such information is a prerequisite for policy-makers to mitigate possible negative consequences on specific fleet sectors. During semistructured interviews, observations, and group discussions, information on the reactions and the sentiments about the plan prevailing in the communities was collected. In general, the plan found widespread approval, because it improved planning reliability for fishers and cooperatives considerably. Conversely, the reduction in fishing effort stipulated in the plan has had strong adverse effects on smallscale fishers. The survey furthermore revealed that this fishery segment using passive fishing gear is among the most vulnerable, because it is the interest group with the lowest income, little resilience to cope with further restrictions, and no lobby to improve their position.