Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belgian fishermen can now catch sole at 24 cm, aligning with EU standards, says Minister Hilde Crevits. This change, requested by Emil Brouckaert, aims to reduce food waste and ensure fair competition, utilising Belgium’s 722-ton quota.
Belgium used to have a stricter rule for catching sole fish, allowing only those that are 25 cm or longer. This was higher than the European rule of 24 cm. The goal was to help smaller soles grow and reproduce.
Minister Hilde Crevits has announced that Belgium will lower the size limit to 24 cm to match the EU rule. He mentioned that this change will help Belgian fishermen compete fairly with others in Europe. The government believes this new rule will not harm sole fish numbers because it follows scientific guidelines for responsible fishing.
Will Belgium’s new sole size limit reduce food waste and aid fishermen?
According to officials, the new rule will also help reduce food waste. Before, fishermen had to throw back any sole fish smaller than 25 cm. Many of these fish died after being thrown back. Now, with the size limit set at 24 cm, fishermen can keep these smaller fish and sell them. They mentioned that this change will help use resources better and make the fishing industry more efficient.
Minister Crevits said:
“To be on par with other European countries, a sole of 24 cm may also be caught. This will safeguard the sole stock and also prevent food waste. Currently, fish that are smaller have to be thrown back into the sea.”
According to Emil Brouckaert from the shipping association, Belgian fishermen wanted this change to compete fairly with others. He mentioned that before, they could only catch sole that were 25 cm or larger, while other countries allowed 24 cm. This made it hard for them to compete.
The rule was meant to protect fish, but with Belgium’s sole quota now at 722 tons, the stricter size limit is less needed. Minister Hilde Crevits’ decision to follow the European standard helps Belgian fishermen benefit from the larger quota without extra rules.
Emil Brouckaert says:
“It is a good thing that the minister is responding to our request to eliminate the inequality with our foreign colleagues.”
Some people are worried that lowering the size limit for sole fish might lead to more small fish being caught. However, Brouckaert says this won’t happen. Smaller sole can escape from the nets, but those that are 24 cm will be kept.
He adds that there are not many sole at this size, so it won’t change the overall catch much. He mentioned that the real benefit is that fishermen can now sell sole at 24 cm instead of throwing them away. This helps reduce food waste.
Brouckaert adds:
“Small sole that still has to grow can escape from our nets. Sole of 24 cm will stay in there, but there are not that many of them. We are now certain that what is caught can be sold. Then at least it is not food waste.”
