visserijen

Visserijen is the Dutch term for fisheries, encompassing the activities involved in catching, farming, processing, and distributing fish and other aquatic resources. The plural visserijen is used to refer to the various fisheries sectors—artisanal coastal fishing, larger-scale commercial fleets, and aquaculture supply chains—and to the broader industry as a whole. The scope includes harvesting at sea and in inland waters, primary processing, and trade, supported by vessels, gear, ports, and associated services such as transport and marketing.

Economically and socially, visserijen can be a traditional livelihood for coastal communities and a source of protein and export revenue. The sector is highly regulated to ensure stock sustainability and ecosystem health. Key elements of management include stock assessments, catch quotas, licensing and reporting requirements, observer programs, and traceability. International cooperation and regional fisheries management organizations help govern migratory stocks and transboundary resources, while national authorities implement policies and enforcement.

History and contemporary issues: The Netherlands has long been connected to North Sea fisheries, with shifts in technology, markets, and regulatory regimes shaping the industry. Current challenges include concerns about overfishing of certain species, bycatch, habitat impact, climate-induced distribution changes, and price volatility.

Sustainability certifications and ecosystem-based management are increasingly used to balance economic interests with conservation.

In Dutch usage, visserij is the singular term for fishing, while visserijen (the plural) denotes the fisheries sectors or the industry as a whole.