An ancient tradition has been temporarily saved in the Netherlands. The country’s last anchovy fisher, in collaboration with a dedicated foundation, has devised a plan to continue operations for at least another year, according to Omroep Brabant.
The plan involves fifty volunteers maintaining a “weer,” a large fish trap in the Oosterschelde, as an open-air museum. The oldest record of this fishing method dates back to 1673.
While the North Sea is still full of anchovies, the fish no longer migrate to the Oosterschelde, potentially due to power cables from a nearby wind farm. Wageningen University suggests that the Oosterschelde has lost its function as a spawning ground due to high water temperatures and salinity.
The Van Dort family, the last remaining anchovy fishers, expressed concerns about their ability to continue without financial support. With the foundation’s help, they plan to sustain the craft without relying on anchovy catches, using volunteers for maintenance and offering paid tours.
The foundation is seeking long-term support from government bodies, and the provinces and municipalities have shown positive responses. However, it remains uncertain if anchovies will return to the area.
Source: NOS