Upskilling German fishermen

Fisheries in the Baltic Sea are in crisis as climate change and overfishing have decimated cod and herring stocks, leaving coastal communities in Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania struggling to survive on traditional fishing livelihoods. In response, the Sea Ranger specialist training programme, launched in 2023 by Oliver Greve and funded by the Mare research mission of the German Marine Research Alliance, offers a unique solution, retraining fishermen as 'Sea Rangers', stewards of the sea. Developed with scientists from Kiel, Hamburg, and Rostock, industry experts and local authorities, this state-approved programme equips fishers with skills in marine science, environmental monitoring, tourism, and legal issues. The aim is to utilise their experience and skills in scientific and/or educational projects to diversify their employment into areas such as tourism, research, environmental monitoring and conservation. The first Sea Ranger cohort began their journey in October 2023. The programme has since opened many doors for graduates, highlighting their important contributions to research, non-profit organizations, restoration, and related initiatives.