The Future Workshop on Coastal Fisheries 2045 aimed to develop a shared and desirable vision for the future of German coastal fisheries together with a diverse group of stakeholders: the workshop brought together different perspectives and forms of practical knowledge, involving actors from commercial and recreational fisheries, nature conservation, tourism, science, politics, fish wholesaling, and marine spatial planning. The Future Workshop aimed at turning stakeholders from actors primarily affected by the ongoing transformation into active participants in shaping future change. Rather than predicting what fisheries would most likely look like in 2045, the workshop followed a normative approach, asking participants to imagine how coastal fisheries should develop in the future. The Future Workshop was designed to foster dialogue across conflicting interest and collaboration in order to create a shared vision, supported by creative methods such as graphic recording. At first the group jointly reflected on the current challenges facing fisheries in the North and Baltic Seas. Building on this critique, participants were encouraged to move beyond existing constraints and develop a positive future scenario. Finally, the workshop identified key elements of a future coastal fisheries system, providing a basis for discussing possible pathways towards a sustainable, economically viable, and multi-use marine future.
The scenarios were part of a scientific project but happened before, resp. at the same time as political processes on the future of fisheries in Germany. The developed scenario was presented to the respective political committees and could therefore inform the policy advice on the future of German fisheries. It also continues to be consulted by the meanwhile established German Information and Coordination Centre for Fisheries Transformation.
The scenarios were made in: 2022
The scenarios look out to: 2045
