18 july 2023 | This project is funded by
Promoting Awareness and a Brighter Future for Flyshoot Fishing
The Dutch fishing fleet is facing challenging times, with the government offering a sanitation scheme to over half of the Dutch trawlers. The extent to which this sanitation will contribute to creating a sustainable fishing fleet for the coming years depends in part on the fishermen who choose to continue. The remaining fleet is encouraged to further promote sustainability and transparency. For some fisheries, this is a bigger step than for others. A portion of the flyshoot fishery recognizes the need and takes the lead by gathering and sharing knowledge.
Through a unique collaboration with Wageningen Marine Research and the environmental organization Good Fish within the Knowledge Project VISwijzer and Flyshootvis¹, some flyshooters aim to create a clear agenda for the future. The primary problem to be tackled is the lack of knowledge about flyshoot fishing.
Need for Proper Data Collection
Cornelis Vrolijk / Jaczon is working with four flyshoot vessels to collect data on gurnard, red mullet, and squid. Due to the insufficient knowledge about these fish species, a proper sustainability assessment cannot be provided. Therefore, these fish species automatically receive a lower score on the VISwijzer. Since conventional data collection methods are not suitable for the flyshoot fleet, the collaboration with Good Fish, Cornelis Vrolijk/Jaczon, and Wageningen Marine Research is searching for a suitable protocol that researchers can use to collect data.
Involving Stakeholders
Relatively little is also known about flyshoot fishing among consumers, fish retailers, and the hospitality industry. Increasing this knowledge is important because the Dutch fishing industry is likely to undergo significant changes. The large-scale sanitation in North Sea fishing, the protein transition, and all the developments related to the availability of sustainable products in stores are reshaping the perception of fish. Therefore, it is desirable for other fish species to have a better place in Dutch restaurants and stores. Currently, about 90% of the fish from flyshoot fishing is exported abroad.
Familiarity with Flyshoot?
A playful survey by DirectResearch² among over 500 Dutch consumers reveals that over 30% of respondents think that flyshoot is a ball sport technique, and 18% are (somewhat) familiar with the term flyshoot. When asked which fish Dutch flyshooters catch, DirectResearch finds that “flyshoot fish” red mullet (11%), gurnard (9%), and squid (6%) are the least chosen options. However, there is also good news: especially men (45%) and 30% of female respondents would like to see these fish species more often in fish shops and restaurants.
Do you want to know how flyshoot works? Check it out here!
Is Flyshoot Fishing Sustainable According to VISwijzer?
We don’t know everything about that yet. With the data collected from the project, the collaborating partners hope to provide a better assessment for gurnard, squid, and red mullet on the VISwijzer. The status of these fish stocks is still unclear. Additionally, this information can help create a future agenda. It is encouraging for the sector to know that the term “flyshoot” is perceived as sustainable by consumers. According to the DirectResearch survey, half of the respondents trust that flyshoot is a sustainable fishing technique. In any case, the collaboration is a significant breakthrough, and the fishermen deserve the support of the public, fish retailers, and chefs in their efforts toward a more sustainable future.
¹Het Kennisproject VISwijzer en Flyshootvis wordt gesubsidieerd door de Europese Unie, Europees Fonds voor Maritieme Zaken en Visserij
² This information is based on a DirectResearch survey from December 2022, with 525 participants aged 18 and above, and is representative by gender, age, and education.
The project is funded by the European Union, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
