Adema wants to provide a future for fishing, and more space in the sea is needed

Adema sent his “Vision on Food from the Sea and Big Water” to the House of Representatives on Friday, which focuses on the importance of extracting food from the sea. Vision is for fishermen who still see the future. This relates to fishermen who catch fish in the wild, but also to grow seaweed and shellfish such as mussels. This food extraction provides healthy, sustainable proteins with relatively low carbon dioxide emissions, and is close to home, according to the minister.

According to Adema, there is also a need for innovative fishing techniques and the use of space in offshore wind farms to extract food must be considered. Now only fixed nets and aquaculture are allowed on wind farms. Adema wants to know if active fishing will be allowed there in the future. At the same time, hunters must make more efforts to reduce their impact on nature, says the minister.

to guarantee

“I understand the concerns of fishermen. Fishing in the Netherlands is going through a difficult time and the future is uncertain. Fortunately, there are many fishermen who want to continue. For them, the vision offers the prospect of a sustainable and economically healthy sector. After all, we would like to continue eating food,” Adema said in a statement. Healthy from the North Sea and our big waters. “Fishermen are simply part of the Netherlands.”

ADEMA's vision has been developed in consultation with fishermen and other interested parties. The document was also discussed at the so-called North Sea Consultation, where the government, fisheries, nature organisations, energy and shipping sectors work together on issues surrounding the North Sea. “It is up to the new government to start working on an executive agenda based on this vision.”

Adema also says she wants to offer future prospects for, among other things, cultural preservation in fishing communities. He has made €30 million available for this purpose. The regions will contribute at least a similar amount.