vissers

Vissers is the Dutch term for fishermen, those who catch fish for a living or as a primary activity. The word is used in the Netherlands and in Dutch-speaking parts of Belgium (Flanders) to denote professional crews and, in some contexts, subsistence or recreational fishers within coastal and inland waters. A typical professional vissers crew operates a fishing vessel, ranging from small boats to larger trawlers, with a skipper responsible for navigation and decision making, and deckhands handling gear and catch.

Historically, vissers have been a central part of coastal economies, especially along the North Sea and in river estuaries, harvesting species such as herring, cod, flatfish, and shrimp. The work involves various forms of gear, including nets, longlines, pots, and trawls, depending on species and fishing grounds. The industry is organized through fleets, cooperatives, and fish auctions, and is regulated by national authorities and the European Union, including catch quotas, safety rules, and reporting obligations.

In modern times, the number of active vissers has declined in many areas due to ecological limits, regulation, high operating costs, and competition from larger fleets and imports. Some communities have diversified into seafood processing, tourism, or aquaculture, while others rely on subsidies, retraining programs, or structural adjustments.

The term also appears in surnames and in cultural references, reflecting a long-standing association between coastal communities and the fishing profession.