Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player
 

  • Nederlands
  • Deutsch
Search in the Encyclopedia

Dieren en planten

Mussel   Fish   Herring family   Herring   Sprat   Anchovies   Flatfish   Sole   Plaice   Dab   Bivalves   

Water en land

Mens en Milieu

Fisheries   Fisheries, in general   Fishery techniques   Beam-trawl fisheries   Otter trawling   Pulse trawling   Sumwing   Twin trawling   Pelagic trawling   Fishery policy   Sea days regulation   Reorganizing the fleet   Establishing quota   Dutch Fishery Act   Waste covenant   
Unsorted catch from a beam trawler, Ecomare

Fisheries, in general

In 2008, the Dutch fishing fleet consisted of 308 cutters, 14 large trawlers and 56 vessels for fishing mussels. An unknown number of ships were active with oyster cultivation, but there were 21 vessels in 2006. The entire fleet has shrunken enormousely during various rounds of reorganization.

  • Developments

    Between 2000 and 2010, the fishery sector was involved with various radical developments. The large-scale cockle fisheries in the Wadden Sea was banned and a new phenomenon entered the scene: the mussel seed collector. The price of diesel fuel skyrocketed so that the entire cutter sector began talking about all kinds of innovations (floating beams, electro-fishing, new motor technology) which would be more economical as well as have a largely beneficial impact on nature. The Dutch people were consuming more and more cultivated fish, particularly from Asia.

    The fish stock kept fluctuating as always. The cod population was still too low, while plaice and herring were improving. Nowadays, fishing populations in an environmentally responsible manner are rewarded with one of the quality labels, as well as a green check in the 'Good Fish Pointer'.

    In order to keep the fisheries on the best possible tracks, many rules have been drafted. The chapter 'Fishery Policy' deals with the most important ones. Furthermore, the fishermen try to be as environmentally conscious as possible when fishing. After all, they are dependent upon a healthy environment with good fish populations for their livelihood.