FISHERMEN IN BANSIN: The lonely fight - overfishing threatens a tradition WELT Magazine documentary. The seaside resort of Bansin on the Baltic Sea is not only known for its impressive spa and bathing architecture, but also for its long tradition of fishing. Local fishermen have always supplied guests with fresh fish straight from the Baltic Sea. Eddie Stoll, one of the last fishermen in the region, can report a drastic decline in his colleagues. In the last 20 years, the number of fishermen in Germany has more than halved, and Bansin has been hit particularly hard. While there used to be around 45 fishing boats active in Bansin, today there are hardly more than 40, sometimes even fewer. In Ahlbeck there were once around 60 to 65 boats, while in Heringsdorf there were only 10 or 12 fishermen. The situation has changed drastically, and nowadays those who work full-time as fishermen have become a minority. For Eddie Stoll, who can only take his small boat out to fish on rare occasions, the business is becoming less and less profitable. The Baltic Sea is considered to be overfished, which means that fish stocks have declined significantly. But that is not the only problem. The unhindered activity of cormorants, which feed on the fish stocks, is also putting pressure on the fishermen. The pike-perch in particular, which was once plentiful, has now almost disappeared. One reason for this is the birds' unbridled appetite for the young pike-perch. During an inspection trip, which was accompanied by rather low expectations, it turns out that the catch is minimal. Eddie Stoll only catches a single fish, and it is protected and must not be caught. He explains that the fish must be protected in order to maintain the population. This moment embodies the difficulties that fishermen like Stoll face every day. Times have changed. The former fishing village of Bansin has lost its character. The fishing stalls that once sold fresh fish directly from the Baltic Sea are closed and dilapidated. The Nordic fish that is still offered in restaurants usually no longer comes from here, but from international fish markets. Eddie Stoll has also had to change careers. Fishing is now just a side job for him, a hobby. He now earns his living from a hotel and pension that he runs with his wife. He offers boat trips and small events for guests to convey a little fishing romance. Despite the challenges, Eddie Stoll is not giving up. Perhaps one day the catch quotas will be relaxed and better times will return for the fishermen of Bansin. In the meantime, fishing remains a tough business, characterized by dedication and an unshakable belief in tradition. #fishing #bansin #doku 🔵 WELT DOKU YouTube Channel / weltdoku 🔵 The WELT news livestream / @weltvideotv 🔵 WELT Podcasts YouTube Channel / weltpodcast 🔵 WELT news channel YouTube Channel / weltvideotv 🔵 WELT Netzreporter YouTube Channel / dienetzreporter 🔵 The top news on WELT.de http://bit.ly/2rQQD9Q 🔵 The media library on WELT.de http://bit.ly/2Iydxv8 🔵 WELT news channel on Instagram https://bit.ly/IGWELTTV 🔵 WELT on Instagram http://bit.ly/2X1M7Hk