The fish you find in our fish shop is always fresh as day. But that fish doesn’t just jump into our counter from the sea. How, then?

Fishermen

Just about every type of fish we sell at Mer du Nord – Noordzee (apart from trout and eel) comes from the sea. To catch those fish, fishermen are needed, of course. Those fishermen set out every day – in moderation and according to the quota – to get the best fish from the sea! Some fishermen spend several days on the road because the desired fish can only be caught at sea in certain regions.

Note: to prevent overfishing, there are strict quotas for fish. Thus, the quantity is limited, as well as the quality is strictly controlled. In addition, sustainability has also become a particularly important factor.

Morning / night market

Once the fish are caught, they are taken towards the fish markets or “vistrappen”. There are three in Belgium: in Nieuwpoort, Ostend and Zeebrugge. Just about all fish sold in Belgium arrives here. The fish are checked and divided by species and quantity, after which they can be bid on. The person with the highest bid can come and collect the fish.

Wholesalers and fishmongers

Although you can collect your fish directly from the fish ladders yourself, it is not always obvious for fishmongers to drive themselves to the fish ladders every day. After all, that would make for long days and nights. That is why there are fish wholesalers. They do drive to the early market, after which they deliver the desired fish to restaurants and fish shops.

So the fish that ends up on your plate is not fished by your fishmonger himself. There are always a few intermediaries who help ensure the correct fishing method, quality and sustainable transport to the end point.