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  • Dut: Spiering (binnenspiering, blauwe spiering, plin, sperling)
  • Lat: Osmerus eperlanus
  • Eng: Smelt
  • Ger: Stint
  • Fren: Eperlan
  • Dan: Smelt
  • Nor: Krøkle
Smelt, Nederlands Visserijbureau

Smelt

Smelt live in brackish and salt water. There is also a smelt population residing in fresh water (the coastal provinces and the IJsselmeer). Smelt migrate upriver to spawn. This species forms schools just under the sea surface, where it hunts all kinds of living matter. In turn, it serves as food for fish, birds and people. Because smelt is being threatened, the fisheries for this species has been banned in 2007.

  • Characteristics

    Smelt grow to a maximum of 30 centimeters long. Wadden Sea smelt grow larger and yield five times as much on the market than IJsselmeer smelt. It used to be considered the 'poor man's fish' in Western Europe. As the old saying goes: "Smelt is fish, when there is nothing else". Smelt smell like cucumbers.

  • Characteristics

    Smelt grow to a maximum of 30 centimeters long. Wadden Sea smelt grow larger and yield five times as much on the market than IJsselmeer smelt. It used to be considered the 'poor man's fish' in Western Europe. As the old saying goes: "Smelt is fish, when there is nothing else". Smelt smell like cucumbers.