Institute for Baltic Sea Fisheries Rostock (IOR)Director: Dr. habil. Cornelius Hammer Since January 1, 2008, the Institute for Baltic Sea Fisheries is one of 15 Institutes in the newly created Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries (vTI). > Homepage of vTI The main task of the Institute for Baltic Sea Fisheries in Rostock are the scientific investigation into the sustainable use of the fisheries resources of the Baltic Sea. The sustainability should warrant, that a high biological level, a healthy age distribution and a stable productivity is achieved by the fish stocks, as this would guarantee a long term fishery with little negative ecological impact.
Priorities of the Institute The institute examines the dynamics in commercially important fish stocks of the Baltic Sea: cod, flat fishes (flounder, plaice, turbot and dub), herring and sprat. The age structure of a fish stock, the growth and the interrelationship between different species are the main parts of fish stock examinations. Data series of stock sizes and recruitment combined with environmental data allow middle- to long-term conclusions to the change in fish stock behaviour due to climatic and environmental change. One of the main tasks of the institute is to regularly compile extensive biological data for international databases. The stock size of different species is being calculated in close cooperation with the research institutes of the other coastal states of the Baltic Sea, using this data. The governmental authorities use the results to calculate the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), which then is divided into national quotas. The results are further being used as scientific decision making tools for the management of the fisheries resources of the Baltic Sea, as well as to secure quotas under the fisheries policies of the European Commission. The research and consultation services of the institute are part of an international framework of research programs and conventions. The institute co-operates with marine scientist of different universities and research facilities. |
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