Dendermonde (Brussel Morning Newspaper) – Dendermonde officially introduces midnight fishing at Brussels Forts following a successful pilot project, boosting recreational access and local engagement.
The city’s public fishing pond has let fishermen fish till midnight since last summer.
“The evaluation shows that the pilot project was positive,”
says alderman Laurens Hofman (Renewal).
A few eel fishermen who wished to fish in Belgium for a longer period of time asked Dendermonde to launch the pilot project last year. After consulting with the police and the fisheries committee, the city decided that was a good idea. Additionally, because the fishing pond has more social control.
This summer, the city is also relaunching the experimental initiative. From the end of September till midnight, fishermen will be permitted to fish at the Brussels Forts.
“We evaluated the project together with the police and that was all positive,”
says Alderman for Fisheries Laurens Hofman (Renewal).
“That is why we recently decided to continue the pilot project again this summer.”
And fishing until midnight seems assured for the following summers as well.
“At the board of aldermen on Monday we decided to also implement the pilot project definitively from next year”,
says Hofman.
“We are going to use the police regulations for that, the following summer fishing will be allowed until midnight from 1 May to the end of September.”
What benefits does allowing fishermen to fish until midnight bring to Dendermonde?
Extended fishing hours promote mental health and stress reduction by offering additional chances for leisure and relaxation. Fishing in the evening and at night can be particularly soothing and a great way to relax after work.
During the calmer evening hours, the extended hours promote social contact and shared experiences among local fishermen, fostering a sense of community.
Now that fishing is possible for people with daytime obligations like work or school, a wider range of people may engage in the sport.
Fishing is a low-impact exercise that can help people stay active and improve their general health and fitness.
Residents can experience nature at different times of day through evening fishing, strengthening their bond with the local fauna and the natural world.
