The Thünen institute is a German federal research institute for rural areas, forestry, and fisheries. It is divided in 14 specialized structures, one of them being the Baltic Sea Fisheries Institute in Rostock. Not only do they conduct research and monitoring, they also guide decision-makers and give advice to stakeholders. They are increasingly collaborating with international organizations such as ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea). They represent German interests in international scientific commissions and bodies.

One of their objectives is to assess the stocks of commercially important species, so that they can be harvested sustainably. And one their most important goal is to develop new fishing gear technologies and techniques in order to improve the actual fishing industry and develop more sustainable ways. The overall aim of the working group "fishing gear technology" at the Thünen-Institute is to improve the sustainability of fishing activity to reduce unwanted effect on populations and environment (e.g. discards, adverse effects on populations, energy consumption, bottom contact). They are working on trawl gears and passive gears (e.g. reduction of bycatch from marine mammals and birds). The work can combine practical aspects (e.g. experiments at sea) with technology (gear technology and observation technology) and statistical work.

Their work contributes mainly into securing the sustainable use of natural resources, serves economic development, and ensures the quality of life for the society.