Fishing has become increasingly popular in Brandenburg, Germany, a region abundant in water. According to a spokesperson from the Landesanglerverband, the local fishing association now boasts nearly 95,000 members, a significant rise since the start of the pandemic. In 2019, the association counted about 85,000 anglers, but that number has grown by 10,000 over five years, now even exceeding the 93,000 members of the football association in the area.
The surge in interest is largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures, which led many to (re)discover fishing as a solitary activity. The sport offers an accessible and affordable way to engage with nature, providing a respite from the increasingly hectic pace of modern life. It serves as a return to nature, slowing down time, and is considered by some as one of the last great wilderness adventures.
With this upward trend, the fishing association faces no issues with replenishing its ranks and aims to maintain these favorable conditions for angling. Brandenburg is home to about 1,200 fishing clubs, where members can fish for around 20 main species like pike, zander, and perch across approximately 16,000 hectares.
So…:
What trends do you see in your industry post-COVID-19, and do any of these involve doing things alone or engaging with nature?
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