Dutch Fisheries Organisation gill net sole: the fishers’ story

Meet the Dutch Fisheries Organisation gill net sole fishers

Most Dutch gill-net fishermen, united in the Stichting van de Nederlandse Visserij (Dutch Fisheries Organisation), have been MSC certified for their North-Sea sole fishery since November 2009. Each year, the 43 fishermen land 100 to 150 tonnes in this sustainable fishery from April to November. Rems Cramer, fisherman on the KW 2, has been one of the champions of the MSC certification.

Quick facts

• The gill-net fishermen effectively record their working methods in detail and have started working with a management plan
• The gill-net fishermen acquire a better status as a reliable partner
• MSC certification offers better guarantees for the future

Why we chose MSC certification

"We always believed that our fishing methods were fairly sustainable, but we also felt that we would be able to take major strides forward with MSC certification," says Rems Cramer, spokesman for the gill-net fishermen who were certified at the end of 2009. 

"MSC got us thinking about sustainability and encouraged us to improve our sustainability even more."

- Rems Cramer, spokesman DFO fishermen gill net sole

Environmental benefits of MSC certification

"Our fishing method was already quite sustainable. We fish extremely selectively, there is hardly any bycatch, there is no seabed disturbance, and we use very little fuel. Operational adjustments were not required to obtain certification for our sole fishery. We limit ourselves in the number of nets we put out and the number of licenses that are issued."

Gill-net fishery has been connected with the bycatch of sea mammals, such as harbour porpoise. However, that is not true for the sole fishery. Due to the careful process that is involved with MSC, this discussion has come to an end.

How else does MSC certification benefit the environment?

Economic benefits of MSC certification

The gill-net fishermen have just finished their first season using the MSC ecolabel and the fish was sold at auction. "We had expected a higher price of course. We did not sign contracts with buyers in advance; prices for sole fluctuate enormously and the market is used to that. That does not make it easy to move to a contract price. However, we are now thinking of a fixed percentage on top of the auction price. It goes without saying that we would like to see a return on the investments we made."

How else does MSC certification improve economic prospects for fisheries?

Social benefits of MSC certification

An important plus for the gill-net fishermen is the improved status they have acquired. "We really count now, better still we are now in the vanguard of sustainable fishery. Our fishery is regulated professionally; we impose restrictions on ourselves and conform to a clear management plan. We are now a full and respected discussion partner for all the groups that are important to our continued existence."

Looking ahead…

"We are now legalised as a group of gill-net fishermen. We don’t have to keep explaining what we do, and we don’t have to defend ourselves constantly. By complying with the strict, transparent MSC standards, we demonstrate that we have our house in order and that we are ambassadors for a healthy and strong future. Many things can and will change in our area over the coming years. In the framework of Natura 2000 there will be designated closed areas. However, we hope to be able to gain access to those on the back of our proven sustainable working methods."

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The article above was written by an independent journalist commissioned by the MSC to find out how MSC certification has helped this fishery.