25 / 08 / 2015
In the framework of its fisheries policy, the European Commission obliges its Member States to collect data about the recreational fishery sector. In addition, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive dictates the development of a strategy for a sustainable use of the marine waters, aiming to achieve Good Environmental Status by 2020. The Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO) conducted a survey of the ecological and socioeconomic impact of recreational fishing at sea. Further observations were made by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) from April 2014 to April 2015 as part of the Interreg IVa 2 Seas GIFS-project (Geography of Inshore Fisheries and Sustainability) and the LIVIS-project (Low Impact Fisheries; European Fisheries Fund – Axis 4).
The purpose of these observations was to obtain data on (1) the size and composition of the Belgian recreational fishing fleet, (2) the number of movements of recreational fishing vessels in and out of the coastal harbours, and (3) the fishing locations in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Several observation techniques were applied, both land-based and sea-based using the research vessel Simon Stevin.
631 recreational fishing vessels were inventoried, the majority of which (84%) are exclusively used for rod fishing, while 3% are equipped for both rod fishing and trawling. Several recreational vessels use beam trawls (5%) and otter trawls (8%) - this seems to be unique in Europe. Most recreational fishing vessels have their home port in Blankenberge (223) and Nieuwpoort (197), followed by Zeebrugge (94) and Oostende (83). 34 vessels have no fixed port of registry, and are launched from different ramps along the coast. Recreational fishing mainly takes places within the 3 nautical miles (NM) zone. Vessels fishing beyond of the 3 NM zone generally visit shipwrecks. The number of fishing trips per vessel per year was estimated to be 10 735. On average 2, 4 fishermen boarded the vessels. Each person was fishing for 25 765 days per year. Because strong annual variations in effort and catch characterize the recreational fishery, a systematic monitoring over a period of several years is crucial, including an extension of the observations to land based coastal fishing activities.
The full report (only available in Dutch) can be downloaded here. For more information contact Thomas Verleye of VLIZ: thomas.verleye@vliz.be or +32-(0)59-34 01 67.
The purpose of these observations was to obtain data on (1) the size and composition of the Belgian recreational fishing fleet, (2) the number of movements of recreational fishing vessels in and out of the coastal harbours, and (3) the fishing locations in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Several observation techniques were applied, both land-based and sea-based using the research vessel Simon Stevin.
631 recreational fishing vessels were inventoried, the majority of which (84%) are exclusively used for rod fishing, while 3% are equipped for both rod fishing and trawling. Several recreational vessels use beam trawls (5%) and otter trawls (8%) - this seems to be unique in Europe. Most recreational fishing vessels have their home port in Blankenberge (223) and Nieuwpoort (197), followed by Zeebrugge (94) and Oostende (83). 34 vessels have no fixed port of registry, and are launched from different ramps along the coast. Recreational fishing mainly takes places within the 3 nautical miles (NM) zone. Vessels fishing beyond of the 3 NM zone generally visit shipwrecks. The number of fishing trips per vessel per year was estimated to be 10 735. On average 2, 4 fishermen boarded the vessels. Each person was fishing for 25 765 days per year. Because strong annual variations in effort and catch characterize the recreational fishery, a systematic monitoring over a period of several years is crucial, including an extension of the observations to land based coastal fishing activities.
The full report (only available in Dutch) can be downloaded here. For more information contact Thomas Verleye of VLIZ: thomas.verleye@vliz.be or +32-(0)59-34 01 67.