02 / 07 / 2015
Worldwide coastal fisheries play an important role as a stable provider of food and employment in the coastal zone. In Belgium this sector – often made up of small and traditional (family) enterprises – has been reduced to a great extent. In the 1960s the coastal fleet still represented 63% of the total Belgian fleet. Anno 2015 only 20 small ships (70 gross tonnage) are counted of which only seven are registered as coastal fishing vessel.
Within its new common fisheries policy Europe wants all member states to put specific attention to this sector and to set up appropriate criteria for the small-scale, traditional and coastal fisheries. This sector has specific needs and obstacles, and must be approached in another way than the larger fleet segments. Europe also urges member states to ensure that recreational fisheries are in line with the objectives of the common fisheries policy. They have an important impact on the fish stocks, particularly in coastal waters where inshore commercial fisheries occur as well.
In the framework of the INTERREG project GIFS six partners from four European countries bordering the southern part of the North Sea and the English Channel sought for more insight into the socio-economics and cultural significance of coastal fisheries in the region. This as a basis for the fisheries policy, and for the development of strategies for coastal renewal and sustainable development within the coastal community. It was recognized that coastal fisheries – in addition to an economic contribution – also have an important contribution to wider social and cultural standards and values. The final result was the internationally applicable position paper: 'Inshore fisheries: too important to ignore?'.
The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) adapted this position paper for the local, Belgian situation: 'Hoogtij(d) voor kustvisserij' (only available in Dutch). This online brochure summarises facts and figures, barriers and opportunities, and suggestions for required actions to ensure the future of the Belgian coastal fisheries sector.
More about the GIFS project and its results on the GIFS-website.
Within its new common fisheries policy Europe wants all member states to put specific attention to this sector and to set up appropriate criteria for the small-scale, traditional and coastal fisheries. This sector has specific needs and obstacles, and must be approached in another way than the larger fleet segments. Europe also urges member states to ensure that recreational fisheries are in line with the objectives of the common fisheries policy. They have an important impact on the fish stocks, particularly in coastal waters where inshore commercial fisheries occur as well.
In the framework of the INTERREG project GIFS six partners from four European countries bordering the southern part of the North Sea and the English Channel sought for more insight into the socio-economics and cultural significance of coastal fisheries in the region. This as a basis for the fisheries policy, and for the development of strategies for coastal renewal and sustainable development within the coastal community. It was recognized that coastal fisheries – in addition to an economic contribution – also have an important contribution to wider social and cultural standards and values. The final result was the internationally applicable position paper: 'Inshore fisheries: too important to ignore?'.
The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) adapted this position paper for the local, Belgian situation: 'Hoogtij(d) voor kustvisserij' (only available in Dutch). This online brochure summarises facts and figures, barriers and opportunities, and suggestions for required actions to ensure the future of the Belgian coastal fisheries sector.
More about the GIFS project and its results on the GIFS-website.