
Fresh fish from the North Sea
North Sea fish in Holland
Holland’s rich maritime history has helped to create a modern fishing fleet that’s won the Dutch industry a major position on the international market, and is now leading the way in sustainable fishing thanks to a combination of policy reform and advocacy. The Dutch fleets comprise mainly of cutters and trawlers, fishing the nutrient-rich coastal waters of the North Sea for a wide variety of species – the most popular include flat fish like plaice and sole, as well as herring, mackerel, cod, and haddock. In addition, the fleet also includes sophisticated vessels for harvesting mussels.
Famous Dutch fishing towns
Many of these vessels belong to the fleets of Scheveningen, Katwijk and Stellendam, all historical maritime towns with a rich fishing heritage. As well as its large fleet, Scheveningen is known for its daily fish auction, which provides an essential link between the fishermen and trade, helping the morning’s catch to make its way from the sea to the plate in a matter of hours. The lively auction begins at 7am, as soon as the fish have been unloaded from the boats. Further south, in the province of Zeeland, the harbor town of Stellendam also holds a weekly fish market every Friday morning, with guided tours available.
Straight from the sea to your plate
There are many opportunities to taste fresh North Sea fish in Holland – from the finest seafood restaurants to the street food traders selling fresh herring and ‘kibbeling’ (North Sea cod pieces fried in batter). Scheveningen marina is lined by a range of elegant seafood restaurants, where you can sample freshly caught fish with views of the harbour or sea, or why not dine on fresh fish with your feet in the sand at the beach restaurants of Katwijk. Stellendam is home to several high-quality seafood restaurants, such as Restaurant Zoet of Zout, which is situated next to the marina, looking out onto part of the Delta Works. So sea-to-plate freshness is certainly guaranteed.

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