Suche
Mein Konto
Homecoming of the herring: spawning season begins in the Greifswalder Bodden!
A study shows the breeding location loyalty of herring in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and highlights the challenges for fishing.
Homecoming of the herring: spawning season begins in the Greifswalder Bodden!
There is exciting news in the fishing world about the reproduction of Atlantic herring. A current study by the Thünen Institute for Baltic Sea Fisheries highlights the remarkable loyalty of this fish species to its breeding location. Researchers found that 56 to 73 percent of herring return to their place of birth to reproduce. These findings are presented in the renowned journal “Science Advances” and represent an important advance for coastal zone management.
The spawning of herring in the western Baltic Sea occurs in the Greifswalder Bodden and extends from March to June. On the other side of the North Sea, however, the herring sometimes spawn in deeper waters in autumn. These details show how important regional conditions are for the reproductive behavior of herring, because the chemical fingerprints from the fish's hearing stones help scientists determine the animals' birthplaces.
Challenges for herring
Traditionally, herrings are an integral part of the German Baltic Sea fishery, but there are also major challenges for this species. Overfishing, high nutrient inputs and climate change are putting herring stocks under considerable pressure. This development has already led to severely restricted fishing opportunities in the western Baltic Sea. German Baltic Sea fishermen are only allowed to specifically catch herring with small boats and passive fishing gear, while they are also allowed to take a certain amount as bycatch when fishing for other species.
The importance of these findings is reflected not only in the sustainability of fishing, but also in the preservation of biodiversity and in ensuring a stable ecosystem. Dorothee Moll, the first author of the study, points out that these results underline the need for action to protect the valuable water bodies and preserve the stocks.
A sad news
These are moving times, both in nature and in people's lives. As we celebrate herring and its return to its birthplaces, we also think about the people who leave us. Life is a constant cycle of memories and new beginnings.