Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsfor a world without hunger
The Fishery and Aquaculture sector profiles available for this country are: Netherlands - National Aquaculture Sector Overview (from NASO) NASO National Aquaculture Sector Overview - provides a general overview of the aquaculture and culture based fisheries aspects at national level for each FAO member country....more Netherlands - National Aquaculture Legislation Overview (from NALO) NALO National Aquaculture Legislation Overview - is a series of national overviews of laws and regulations that are relevant to aquaculture....more Netherlands - National Fishery Sector Overview (from NFSO) NFSO National Fishery Sector Overview - provides a comprehensive overview of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors for each country featured, including economic and demographic information, structure of the industry, development prospects, sector management and status and trends....more GENERAL ECONOMIC DATA
FISHERIES DATA Commodity balance (2001):
STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY The professional fisheries consist of marine (offshore and inshore), and inland fisheries and aquaculture (molluscs and fish). In 2002, the Dutch sea fishing fleet consisted of 511 seagoing vessels, cutters, stern freezers and vessels for shellfish harvesting. The sea fishing fleet registered under a Dutch banner had a total capacity of two hundred thousand GT and a power of 394 thousand kilowatt. The marine fisheries are concentrated in the North sea and the north-eastern part of the Atlantic ocean. The trawlers from Scheveningen and the cutters from Urk account for the bulk of the production. Total turnover and volume of landings by the cutters fishery at the Dutch fish auctions in 2002 was 471 million US$ and 80 000 tons, the major species being flatfish (sole and plaice) and shrimps. The stern trawlers landed a total 368 thousand tons valued at US$162 million. Marine fisheries Marine fisheries is the most important sector in The Netherlands’ fishing industry. Cutter fishery The most important species for the cutter fishery are flatfish and in particular sole and plaice.
Stern trawlers
The most important species are sardinella and horse mackerel in African waters and horse mackerel, mackerel, herring and blue whiting in European waters. Landing sites While there are 11 fish auctions there is a tendency to cooperate more between auctions. It is expected that in the long term no more than five or six auctions will be operational. The turnover at the Dutch fish auctions varied significantly over the last six years. A large proportion of the total turnover (approximately 30 percent) comes from landings of foreign vessels. Many of these vessels have Dutch crew. Value of landings by fish auction (US$ million)
Fishing units The fleet is composed of cutters, stern freezers and vessels for shellfish harvesting. The cutters land fresh fish mostly dover sole, plaice, cod, whiting, herring and shrimps. The fish is caught during sea trips varying in length from one or two days to one week. With 393 vessels fishing mostly as beam trawlers, the cutters still comprise the majority of the Dutch fishing fleet but the number of vessels has steadily decreased from around 600 in the seventies. This also effected the employment on these vessels, which reduced from 3 000 crew in the late eighties to 1 746 in 2002. At the same time the sizes and power of the cutters increased dramatically. Average vessel power is now averaging 745 kW, with a total fleet power of 293 000 kW. Around 15 percent of the companies own more than one vessel. The following type of cutters can be distinguished: * vessels up to 224 kW targeting shrimps, flatfish and other round fish; The distant water fleet consists of seventeen trawlers accounting for a total power of 101 000 kW and 90 000 GT. Stern freezer trawlers distinguish themselves from cutters by: * their size; The capacity measured in power increased by two thirds in the five years to 2002. These vessels undertake seas trips of four to six weeks in the Atlantic Ocean. Half total effort was deployed in front of the West African coast. They mostly target herring, mackerel, horse mackerel, sardinella and blue whiting. About 600 people work on this fleet. The average power is 8 000 kW. Most of these vessels are registered in the Southern part of the Netherlands. About three quarters of the landings consist of frozen fish. The two most important products are frozen herring and horse mackerel. Shellfish harvesting vessels are mostly used by the mollusc cultivation sector. Seventy-nine vessels with an average power of 500 kW are registered for the mussel culture. Rather flat vessels with one trawl on either side collect the mussels. Cockle vessels will dredge the bottom to a depth of four to five centimetres. The larger cockles are cleaned by a high-pressure water jet and retained on board. In 2000, there were 33 vessels registered for the cockle fishery. Of these only 14 were active. Main resources The major target species for the cutter fishery are flatfish and in particular sole and plaice. Other important species are shrimp, cod, whiting and herring. The stern trawlers target pelagic fish such as horse mackerel, mackerel, blue whiting and herring. Sardinella, which is caught mostly off the coasts of Africa, has only recently become important. Fishery areas The most important fishing grounds for the cutter fishery is the Southern North Sea. Just over 50 percent of all effort by stern trawlers was deployed in African waters. The Celtic sea and the English Channel accounted for 25 percent. Inland fisheries Inland waters in the Netherlands measure some 270 000 hectares, of which the most important water body is the Lake IJssel. Other important water bodies are the lakes Veerse, Grevelingen, Lauwer and parts of the southern rivers. Competition between professional fishers and sports fishers has led to a system of division of fishing rights and licenses, with the exception of Lake IJssel where professional fishermen have priority. The fishery on lake Ijssel yielded about 2 100 tons in 2002 valued at US$8 million. The most important species by value are eel and pikeperch. Aquaculture Marine farming in the Netherlands is dominated by mussel culture on designated culture grounds in the delta of Zeeland, particularly in the Eastern Scheldt, and the Wadden Sea. Some 51 companies in 2002 produced in total 45 000 tons, representing a total value of some US$86 million. Production stands currently at about half the level of the late nineties. About thirty enterprises are involved in the oyster sector Culture fishery and trade) which is concentrated around the village of Yerseke in Zeeland. Production is currently at around 1.5 million pieces of flat oyster and 30 million cupped oysters with a total value of 6.5 million US$. Freshwater fish produced for consumption in the Netherlands include eel (3 900 tons), African catfish (2 600 tons), trout (40 tons) and small quantities of turbot, seabass and seabream. In addition some 600-800 metric tons of trout are produced for angling purposes. There is a small farming industry for ornamental fish, which enjoys a growing interest from the gardening industry. UTILIZATION OF THE CATCH Fish consumption Fish consumption is relatively low in the Netherlands. Total expenditure on fish and fish products in 2003 was estimated at US$1.2 billion. This represents an average per household consumption of US$164 and per capita consumption of US$71. In terms of value the top two products are salted herring and smoked salmon. In terms of volume fresh mussels are the top product sold. Processing In 2000, some 280 companies processed fish in the Netherlands. The gross turnover is around US$2.3 billion. The sector is not particularly concentrated, with medium sized companies accounting for two thirds of total turnover. The four biggest companies accounted for only 20 percent. Total employment is estimated at 7 000. The industry processes about 300 000 tons of fish and shellfish. About 75 percent of the production by value is exported, mostly to other EU countries. A further 120 companies acted as wholesale importers. The turnover of wholesale companies that do not process fish was US$0.9 billion.
Fish markets Supermarkets sell half of all fish products being sold while retail shop account for approximately 30 percent. The balance is sold in open-air markets and by street vendors. These figures differ considerably in accordance with the product sold. Nearly exclusively supermarkets sell frozen fish. However approximately two thirds of fresh fish and shellfish are sold in specialized retail shops. FISHERY SECTOR PERFORMANCE Economic role From the perspective of the national economy, the fishery sector is only of marginal importance. The gross added value of fisheries, including fish processing was only just over 0.1 percent of the gross domestic product. Supply and demand Fish accounts for approximately 7.3 percent of the average daily protein intake of Dutch (7.8 g per day per capita). This is less than provided by meat (30.2 g per day per capita), milk (28.7 g per day per capita) and cereal (excluding beer, 19.4 g per day per capita) protein sources. The Netherlands have a per capita supply of 24.5 kg per year of fish and fish products, which is less than the supply of meat (86.8 kg per capita per year), milk and cereal. The supply mainly comes from demersal species (11.5 kg per capita per year) and crustaceans (9.6 kg per capita per year). Trade The Netherlands is one of the few EU member States with a positive trade balance in fisheries products. In 2002 it imported 641 000 tons valued at US$1.6 billion while the exports amounted to US$2.5 billion. Frozen fish accounts for a third of all imports in value and over half in tonnage. Most imports originate from the EU and more particularly from the neighbouring countries (Germany, the UK, Denmark and Belgium). Frozen fish accounts for just over 40 percent of all exports by value. About 80 percent of all exports go to other EU countries. The major EU markets are Belgium, Germany, France, and Italy. Employment Total employment in the fisheries sector production, processing and marketing is estimated 16 100 in the year 2000. Employment in the fish production sector (cutter and stern trawl fishery and the shellfish fishery) has been relatively stable the last years at 2 650 persons.
Most employment however, is in the processing, wholesale and retail marketing. This was estimated to be 7 070, 1 050 and approximately 5000 respectively in 2000. FISHERY SECTOR STATUS AND DEVELOPMENT State of the fishing industry and constraints The offshore and coastal fisheries sector in the Netherlands is of little importance to the national economy. However, the political interest in fisheries policies is relatively significant due to past problems in enforcement of EU fisheries quota’s and interests in the effects of fisheries on the ecosystem. In applying EU fishery policies, the Dutch government was confronted with enforcement problems and sought solutions in more strict and detailed regulations, leading to decreasing public support for these policies. In the early nineties, the fishery policies in the Netherlands have been reconsidered and adjusted. Policies were based on the stimulation of fishing as an economic activity within the framework set by ecological conditions and other functions of the aquatic system. In setting out new policies, management responsibilities were transferred to the sector itself within a framework set by the Government. Within the EU, The Netherlands has promoted flexibility in quota regulations and improvement of other measures to limit catches. At the national level, a system of co-management was introduced based on Producer Organisations (POs). This system has been evaluated as favourable for compliance with quota regulations and participation of fishermen in sector management. It also encouraged the spreading of fishing activities throughout the year. In the coastal fishery sector (mussels, oysters, cockles and shrimps), special attention has been paid to the interrelations between fishing activities and the ecological value of nature. Where productive and ecological functions of the coastal area were mutually exclusive, a separation between the functions was established, leading to closures of specific areas for fishing. Emphasis is put on self-management by the fishery sector and the reservation of parts of the stocks for bird populations. Licensing and quotas have also been introduced for the inland fishery. On Lake IJssel the co-management principle is applied but on other water bodies and river systems the role of the government in the protection of stocks, water quality and nature management is more pronounced. Through the Fisheries Act, fishing methods and fish sizes are regulated. Improvement of water quality should lead in the longer term to increase in fish stocks. Participation of professional and sports fishers in resources, nature and water quality management is promoted through the establishment of Management Committees. Policy on mollusc cultivation is focussed on optimizing the use of designated areas. The economic value of the areas is discounted in the open tender procedure for designated grounds. For the introduction of new species the precautionary principle is applied. Culture of freshwater fish, in particular African catfish, is expected to increase significantly in the near future. In the international trade in fish and fishery products, The Netherlands hold a firm position. To ensure quality some measures have been taken and EU directives have been implemented to ensure hygienic conditions. Economic role of the fishing industry From the perspective of the national economy, the fisheries sector is only of marginal importance. In 2002, the gross added value of fisheries, including the fish processing industry, represented less than 0.2 percent of the gross domestic product. The value of the export of fish and fish products, however, constituted of 0.8 of total Dutch export in 2002. The Netherlands have a positive trade balance in fisheries products with the value of imports US$1 612 million in 2002 whereas exports amounted to US$2 496 million.
In terms of employment, the contribution of the fisheries sector, including the processing wholesale and marketing industry is not very significant. It stands at only just over 0.2 percent of total employment. DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS The prospects for cutter fishing are dependent on catches, revenues and costs. Other pressures on the fishery sector are concerns about the effects on the North Sea ecosystem. The beam trawlers in particular degrade the bottom habitats and catch a large number of non-target species. In investment planning, the cutter fishery needs to consider a further reduction of capture opportunities in future. It is expected that co-operation in the Producers Organisation may have a positive effect. It is indicated that cost-reduction is possible through better use of available vessels to reach optimum return on investments. However, it is anticipated that fuel and labour costs will increase, making cost reduction efforts even more necessary. With regard to the trawler-freezer fleet it is important to ensure stable catches through agreements with third parties, in particular in Africa. Furthermore, diversification of activities (e.g. freezing and transport) needs to be further developed to ensure optimum use of the trawlers. The professional inland fishery is faced with the problem of decreasing eel populations, the most important product. Improvements are possible in fishing methods and in treatment of the catch. It is also expected that environmental policies to improve water quality will have a positive effect on fish stocks and therefore for inland fishing. Co-operation between professional and sports fishers will have positive effects on resources management and against poaching. The processing and distribution of fresh mussels to the traditional markets is well organized, also because of its high-quality image. Potentially, the processing industry may be threatened by imports from elsewhere in the world. Future competition is anticipated particularly from Asian countries. The fresh product, too, can be expected to face competition from within the EU. The mussel culture is under pressure from conservationist quarters: the question is whether Dutch society will continue to give permission to fish for shellfish in the shallows, in particular in the Wadden Sea. Politically, providing more room for farming in the shallows or in the Eastern Scheldt is not a matter of discussion. And apart from the non-enclosed areas that are currently used, no other suitable locations are available. The oyster culture is more a trade rather than a farming sector, with increased risks of introducing diseases, harmful exotics or toxic phytoplankton. Large-scale fish farming is not really getting off the ground, due to inadequate knowledge of and lack of co-operation between partners in the food industry, combined with relatively laborious relations between industry and knowledge institutes. Although the idea seems to have taken root that the start of new cultures or an expansion of existing cultures should be preceded by more adequate market information, it has had little effect thus far, particularly in catfish farming. Both eel and catfish seem to have the volume to become serious partners for the processing industry. However eel culture is likely to be severely limited by the supply of elvers. Apart from more adequate market knowledge, purification of wastewater (e.g. denitrification) is mentioned as a relevant factor to achieve more advanced levels of production. Still, the costs of farming fish in recirculation systems (which are relatively high) remain a problem. INTERNET ADDRESSES OF RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS Common Wadden Sea Secretariat http://www.waddensea-secretariat.org LEI/DLO (Agricultural Economics Research Institute) Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Food http://www.minlnv.nlhttp://www.lei.nl/ NIOZ (Nertherlands Institute for Sea Research) NRLO (National Council for Agricultural Resarch) OVB (Netherlands Organisation for the Improvement of Inland Fisheries) Productschap vis (sector organization) RIVO/DLO (Netherlands Institute for Fisheries Investigations) Sources: Hoofdbedrijfschap Detailhandel, 2004. Viswinkels – Branches in Detail 2004. 19 p. LNV, 2004. Vissen in Nederland – over de Zee-, kust- en binnenvisserij. Brochure Nr. 07. 15 p. LNV, 2003. Co-management in de kust- en binnenvisserij – Een schets van 68 p.de huidige situatie en mogelijkheden voor de toekomst. LNV, 2002. Op weg naar evenwicht – Evaluatie van de Structuurnota Zee- en kust visserij (1993) “Vissen naar evenwicht”. 36 p. OECD, 2003. Economic performance of selected European Fishing Fleets – Annual Report 2003. 289 p. OECD, 2003. Review of Fisheries in OECD Countries – Policies and summary statistics. 399 p. OECD, 2003. Review of Fisheries in OECD Countries – Country statistics 1999 2001. 399 p. Smit, J G P, & M O van Wijk, 2001. De Nederlandse visverwerkende industrie en groothandel. Den Haag, LEI. Rapport. 65 p. Smit, J G P, & M O van Wijk, 1999. Nederland visdistributieland Strategische opites en onderzoeksagenda. NRLO Rapport 99/18, 48 p. Taal, C, M O Van Wijk, A Klok, J W de Wilde & M H Smit, 2003. Visserij in cijfers 2002. Den Haarg; LEI. 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