Fischerstrand

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Welcome to the Fisher's Beaches

Our traditional fishing beaches—which serve as the workplace for the last remaining professional fishermen in the Kaiserbäder—are characterized by historic boats on the shores, wooden fishermen’s huts behind the dunes, and a wide selection of freshly caught fish. The fresh fish is processed here immediately and finds its culinary destination as fillets, fish sandwiches, or hot and cold smoked fish. You can still find these fishing beaches in all three seaside resorts: Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, and Bansin. Right there, you’ll also find the market stalls or attached restaurants where you can enjoy the fresh fish. While you’re there, you might even catch a bit of “chit-chat in the Pomeranian dialect.”

The Fishing Tradition on Usedom

Herring shaped the Kaiserbäder more than 200 years ago and gave Heringsdorf and its community their names. The fishing trade flourished, and by 1932 there were over 7,000 professional fishermen in Pomerania. Over the years, this number declined rapidly, and today there are only 5 left in the Kaiserbäder. Yet the tradition lives on, and so you can still find the occasional fishing boat on the beaches, waiting for their next outing the following morning.

The open-air fishing exhibition in Ahlbeck also offers valuable insights into the world of fishermen, their history, their future, and other interesting information about life as a fisherman.

Video on the Traditional Craft of Net-Making

The traditional craft of net-making is essential for coastal fishermen, but it is increasingly falling by the wayside and is slowly being forgotten. This video shows how our fishermen used to make their nets so they could go fishing.

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Regional Fishing on Usedom

The fish found on the fishing beaches haven’t traveled far: most come from the Baltic Sea, with a smaller portion from the surrounding waters. They are processed immediately and often end up in the local smokehouses, which fill the beaches with the unmistakable aroma of locally smoked fish. But the popular fish sandwiches sold at the beach stands and the delicate fillets served in the restaurants are also right at home here.

The Future of Fishing on Usedom

The reduction in catch quotas, the rise of industrial fishing, and the resulting globalization of the market have made regional coastal fishing increasingly unattractive. This has led to the fishing profession losing its appeal, and support for training new fishermen has come to a standstill. Since the five commercial fishermen still active in the Kaiserbäder are of an older generation, the profession continues to shrink. But there is a ray of hope: young Nils Krüger wants to carry on the fishing trade and the family business—and with it, the history of coastal fishing and its associated traditions.

Eyewitnesses

In light of the impending disappearance of our professional fishermen, a story was recorded as part of the “Eyewitness Accounts” series. Former coastal fishermen Ewald Hellfritz and Horst Schmidt recount how an unexpected change in the weather can alter the situation on the high seas.

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Fishing in the Kaiserbäder

Our fishermen and their fishing practices are traditional, sustainable, and under threat. Learn more about the traditional fishing practices of the Kaiserbäder and the fish in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Usedom.

Experience the Tradition of the "
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Discover the Kaiserbäder of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, and Bansin

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