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Concerned with mounting issues, Dutch fishers are set to take their protest over fisheries issues to the Afsluitdijk
Dutch fishers are set to take their protest over fisheries issues to the Afsluitdijk, which is the major dam and causeway in the Netherlands.
“Is there still a future for next generations of fishermen?” This question is central to the protest action by fishermen organized by action group EMK on Saturday 14 August on Breezanddijk (Afsluitdijk).
The EMK believe that current EU policies and national nature and environmental plans are making the future of fishermen increasingly uncertain and making working at sea almost impossible.
The arrival of thousands of offshore wind turbines will close fishing waters and endanger fishermen’s livelihoods and food supplies.
EMK also especially asks young fishermen to make themselves heard, to unite and to come to the Breezanddijk refuge near Windpark Fryslan on 14 August at 11.00am, to let the fishermen’s voice be heard in unison and to sound the alarm bell.
A convoy will depart from Zoutkamp that Saturday at 9.30am, from Urk at 10.00am and from Den Oever at 10.30am. The EMK organization recommends traveling in a group and connecting and can arrange busses if necessary. EMK chairman Dirk Kraak has asked if a number of ships would like to gather on the IJsselmeer side to support the action.
From 11.00am to 2.00pm there will be a Goldshrimp truck on the Breezanddijk, with a large banner on it. Matthijs van der Ploeg of PO Rousant will be there with the ‘bell car’ to sound the alarm for the young fishermen, whose future is increasingly uncertain. The demonstration will end around 2.00pm.
So far forty fishing vessels have signed up for the protest by EMK are confident more will sign up over the next week.
