Title: Historic Dutch Anchovy Fishing Traditions Revived by Community Effort
An ancient fishing tradition in the Netherlands, pivotal to the region’s cultural heritage, seems to have breathed new life. Last week, the last anchovy fisher of the Netherlands, the Van Dort family from Bergen op Zoom, in tandem with the ‘Behoud Weervisserij’ foundation, rolled out an ambitious plan to keep the tradition going for at least another year.
The plan entails maintaining the remaining ‘weer‘—a traditional fishing trap—by mobilizing a team of fifty volunteers. This open-air museum will not only preserve a piece of Dutch maritime history but also attract paying visitors.
The ‘weer’ is a type of large net trap suspended in the water. Fishermen lure anchovies into it using the area’s tidal currents. The tradition dates back to the 17th century, with the first recorded mention in 1673. At its peak in the early 20th century, 25 fisheries operated around Bergen op Zoom, harvesting up to 800 kilos of anchovies daily.
Declining fish stocks, notably since 2018, have led to the collapse of this once-thriving industry. The Van Dort family, the sole remaining operators, haven’t caught any anchovies in five years. They suspect underwater power cables may be deterring the fish, though researchers suggest altered environmental conditions could also be a factor.
Despite the uncertainty, the Van Dorts, with the foundation’s support, have devised a strategy to continue their craft even without commercial fishing yields. Their plan includes volunteer maintenance of the last ‘weer’ and offering paid tours.
Over the next year, the team aims to secure long-term funding. They’ve received positive responses from various provincial and local authorities, including the provinces of Brabant and Zeeland, and the municipalities of Bergen op Zoom and Tholen. The foundation is optimistic about the tradition’s future but remains uncertain if the elusive anchovy will ever grace these waters again.
This revitalization effort highlights the power of community involvement in preserving cultural heritage, offering hope that this old tradition might not disappear entirely.
Tag: anchovy fishing, Dutch heritage, traditional fishing, community effort, recycling history
