The original release of Fishermen was designed purely as a promotional item for Spielbox magazine,
However it quickly proved popular and within two years had also appeared as a freebie when buying all six Catan scenarios (Netherlands 2006), as a free promotional item (France 2006) and in Games Quarterly as a free giveaway (USA 2007). Most importantly though it appeared as one of the key components in the newly released Catan exapansion Traders and Barbarians in 2007.
The original article promoting "The Fishermen in Catan" from Catan News 2005 - Issue 2
Spielbox Scenario
"The Fishermen of Catan"
Klaus Teuber has developed a Catan expansion exclusively for Spielbox magazine.
With "The Fishermen of Catan," the coastal spaces gain additional significance and are liberated from their previous "peripheral existence." In addition to harbors, there are now fishing grounds where fishing can be conducted extensively with adjacent settlements and cities. The caught fish do not represent a new type of resource card, but rather come in the form of punchable tiles that can be exchanged for advantages during the game. The rule here is: the more fish you give up, the greater the advantage. These range from simply returning the predator to the desert to receiving a free development card.
"The Fishermen of Catan" is included in the Spielbox issue 5/2005, complete with rules and punchable board.
More information about Spielbox can be found at www.spielbox.de.
