The North Atlantic Fisheries, 1100-1976 - University of Hull

The judgements of the Raad voor de Scheepvaart—an independent
body of nautical and legal experts, appointed by government, to
investigate shipping disasters—are an interesting source of information
on all kinds of shipping, for instance, as to beam trawlers in the 1960s.
Eighteen vessels capsized between 1960 and 1974. Investigations by the
Shipping Inspection and the Raad voor the Scheepvaart resulted in better
construction of weighted trawls plus an inspection of the stability of all
590 beam trawlers. No less than 78 lost their licenses and 56 were
lengthened. 197 The beam trawler was safe again. Hull and rig had been
adapted to a heavier fishing gear.
Conclusion
The purpose of this paper has been to examine the historiography of
fishing in The Netherlands. Much has been done, much has been
achieved, but always as the result of individual efforts. There is no
infrastructure for on-going research. This paper only touches upon a few
aspects. Nothing, for instance, is said about the inland and foreign
markets. The coming of railways had its impact as well. A number of
monographs cover certain periods. A general overview and analysis of
the Dutch fisheries is still lacking. Sufficient material, however, seems to
be available, though some specific research is still required.
What the Dutch historiography is clearly lacking, is an international
perspective. The approach is always Dutch and comparisons with
developments abroad are never made. The great variety of fisheries
offers ample opportunities, and its importance in relation to other
countries should stimulate this. Those very beam trawlers, referred to
above, were in the 1970s responsible for 80 percent of the catch of sole in
Western Europe and 50 per cent of the catch of plaice.
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
A broad and detailed survey of statistical data on Dutch fisheries is available from the
author or from Dr Jan P van de Voort, Amalia van Solmslaan 6, 3136 CD Vlaardingen.
A. Beaujon, Overzicht der geschiedenis van de Nederlandsche
zeevisscherijen (Leiden, 1885)
J. van Beylen, Schepen van de Nederlanden (Amsterdam, 1970)
197 Research seminar paper by C.J. Schotsman 1995 (Department of Maritime History,
University of Leiden).
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