Netherlands Socio-economic Profile


1 The Netherlands : NL1
1.1 Overview

The area defined as The Netherlands NL1 covers the whole country.  The fishing fleet in the Netherlands is made up of the offshore fleet and the inshore fleet.  In 1997 there were 450 fishing vessels in the Dutch fleet, of which the sea fleet numbered 416 cutters, 14 distant water freezer trawlers and 22 inland cockle vessels operating mainly in the Wadden sea and the Western Schelde.   The cutter segment predominates with regard to engine capacity (85%) whilst the freezer fleet trawlers account for 12.5% of capacity. The NUTS 3 region with the greatest number of vessels is Kop Noord Holland which has 109 vessels mainly smaller vessels targeting round fish and shrimps.   In terms of engine capacity, Flevoland (25%of capacity) is the most  important fishing region. Dutch vessels are large compared to other fleets, some 55% are over 24 metres in length.

Since 1991 the cutter fleet has decreased by 25% from 556 cutters, vessel numbers in the cockle fleet have halved and the number of freezer trawlers has increased by 1 vessel.

In 1997, total Dutch landings amounted to almost 361,858,323 ECU  70% of which was landed by the cutter sector.

1.2 Coastal fishing Employment

There are almost 2,400 people employed in the capture-fishing sector in the Netherlands.  The majority of these fishers (1,880)  are employed on board cutters.  Geographically,  Flevoland (Urk) has the greatest number of fishers (483) followed by Kop Noord Holland  (481).

1.3 Processing Employment

Figures from the CBS  would indicate that there are 3,300 involved in the processing industry.  This figure corresponds with those persons employed in the  PRODCOM production processes in table 8, p 53. The CBS figure of 3,300 is divided into 1,300 females and 2,000 males.

Findings from a study which included fish traders and small companies found the number of persons employed in processing and wholesaling to be 6,051. The area around Flevoland has 1,430 people involved in processing sector.  The enterprises in this area largely concentrate on the processing of flat fish.  In Ov Zeeland there are 668 people employed in processing, mainly in the shellfish plants in Yerseke.

1.4 Vessel Construction And Repair  

Employment in vessel construction and repair is concentrated around the ship yards  of Groot Rijnmond and Flevoland (Urk).  Employment estimates for vessel construction and repair were derived from cost structures of the fishing sector in combination with surveys of experts.  It is estimated that almost 2,000 people are included as workers in supplying companies. Some 55 reflagged vessels frequently visit Flevoland, generating some 150 additional full time persons employed in ancillary industries in this region.

1.5 Marine Aquaculture Employment

Mussel and oyster cultivation provides employment for  312 people.   Mussel production is the main production activity employing 222 people and is largely centred around the town of Yerseke in Zeeland. The oyster cultivation sector is smaller, employing a total of 90 people.

1.6 Inland Aquaculture Employment

A total of  92 people  (of which 11 are female)  are employed in inland aquaculture production. One third of these 92 persons employed are part time. The main species produced are eel and african catfish.

1.7 Inland Fishing Employment

There are two branches of inland fishing in the Netherlands,  the Ijsselmeer fishery ( on the former Zuiderzee) and the inland fisheries that occur in the  inland waterways and lakes.  Both branches concentrate on catching eels and employment amounts to 530 persons employed, of which three-quarters are full time.   Ijsselmeer suffers from reduced elver immigration and over fishing.