Upcoming Trade Shows in Germany for Fishing

Germany’s fishing industry finds itself in a curious position. It’s still a crucial asset to the German economy and its performance remains consistently strong. However, the fishing industry faces a variety of challenges, chief among which is sustainability. Government support for the sector is strong overall. In 2018, Germany allocated EUR 5 million (USD 5.9 million) in direct support to individuals and companies in the fisheries sector, marking a significant increase of 739% since 2014. These policies, aimed at maintaining or increasing fishers' incomes, accounted for 1.8% of the value of production. Notably, direct support per fisher surged to USD 2712.3 in 2018, a 752% increase compared to 2014. Direct support policies encompass a range of objectives, ranging from income support to capacity reduction and input cost reduction. Payments, partially de-coupled from fishing activities, include income support and special insurance systems, with Germany spending USD 2176.5 per fisher in 2018. Additionally, support for fuel, gear and vessel modernization aims to lower input costs with USD 239.7 per fisher allocated for this purpose. The effectiveness of support policies varies based on the type of policy and the effectiveness of fisheries management. While fuel subsidies are deemed less effective in income transfer, policies lowering input costs may inadvertently contribute to overcapacity and unsustainable fishing practices. Effective fisheries management, including the use of total allowable catch limits, is crucial in mitigating these risks. Germany produced 0.3 million tonnes of fish in 2018, valued at USD 467.1 million. Aquaculture contributed 29% and fisheries 71% of the total value. Despite a slight decrease in production quantity, the value of production saw a modest increase of 2% between 2008 and 2018. Even so, Germany remains a net importer of fish and fish products.