Despite the great uncertainty that exists in the fishing industry, there are Urkers who think further and with ‘the new fishing’ not only catch fish, but can also track down Russian submarines. This month, for example, the construction of a completely new cutter that is full of technology will start. Much more can be done with this than just fishing.
Due to the uncertainty, there are fishermen who stop. They had until 1 August to register for a government restructuring scheme. Of the 135 cutters on Urk, 23 are being scrapped or have already been scrapped. Nevertheless, there are Urkers who dare to have a new cutter built.
The new ship that is being built for Jelle Hakvoort at Werft Shipbuilding in Urk uses much less fuel. Moreover, the ship is equipped with the most modern techniques. “The revenue model is no longer just about fishing,” says Albert Hartman of Visserij Coöperatie Urk (VCU). Because the Urkers sail a lot on the North Sea and even further, they can collect a lot of data along the way about, for example, the soil, the water quality and what is sailing there.
Russian submarines
‘The new fishing’ means that the fishermen want to collaborate with, among others, the government, researchers and education. Hartman also sees an important collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. “If we equip fishing boats with special sensors, we can detect that there is something on the bottom that may not belong there. Or that a Russian submarine is nearby, for example.” A kind of ‘black box’ will be on board in which the data will be collected. The information can be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence. The skipper does not have to do anything for this.
Hartman refers to the news from earlier this year about Russian spy shepen on the North Sea. These ships would map cables from windmills, data cables and pipelines, possibly for sabotage purposes.
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“In Belgium they are already a step further,” says Hartman. “In collaboration with the Belgian government and Dutch companies, about forty ships are being fitted with sensors there,” explains Hartman. The VCU plays a role in this and will build a ship there with special sensors.
Consultation with Defense
In a month’s time, Hartman will submit the plans to the Dutch Ministry of Defense on behalf of the VCU. Following Belgium’s example, the aim is to also equip Dutch fishing vessels with detection equipment. This does not only apply to the fishing vessels on Urk, it could also apply to other fishing vessels.
What about the skippers who made use of the restructuring scheme? They may not start a fishing business within five years. Hartman wants an exception to be made for these fishermen if they invest in better and more sustainable vessels and where ‘the new fishing’ is used.
2023-08-03 20:18:03
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