Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – At Ostend’s Vistrap, an interactive shrimp-shaped screen shows how fish goes from sea to market. Charlotte Verkeyn and fisherman Lorenzo De Smit praise its role in honouring local fishing.
As VRT News reported, at the Vistrap in Ostend, there’s a digital screen in the shape of a shrimp to show visitors how the fish gets from the sea to the market. The screen shows the whole process, from when the fishermen leave to when the fish arrives at the market.
Charlotte Verkeyn, from the Port, says many people don’t know the fish was caught the same night. The screen helps people understand and appreciate the process. He mentioned that it’s also a way to honour the local fishing community. The screen makes the market better and helps people connect with where their food comes from.
How does Ostend’s Vistrap screen teach visitors about local fishing?
Lorenzo De Smit, who is an Ostend fisherman, is pleased with a new project that reveals to people what fishermen are doing. According to him, most people, particularly those who do not reside by the sea, are not familiar with the life of fishermen. The new screen lets visitors see what happens behind the scenes.
He clarified that through the screen, individuals can find out how fishermen prepare their daily work, including how they repair and prepare their nets, and how they fish in a sustainable way. He mentioned that this helps individuals get to know more about the fishing industry, thus it is easy for them to see what the fishermen do on a daily basis.
The screen was set up just before Oostende voor Anker, a big festival in the city. Many people visit the festival every year. The harbour becomes like a museum during the festival, with old ships and stories about the sea. Fishermen like Lorenzo can now share their stories.
According to officials, the Vistrap in Ostend is special because it’s the only place in Belgium where people can buy fish straight from the people who caught it. Every night, fishing boats go out to the North Sea. They fish all night and bring back sole, plaice, shrimp, mackerel, and other fish.
When they get back, they unload the fish at the Fish Ladder, where it’s sorted. Then, the fish goes right to the market stalls nearby. They mentioned that the fishermen or their families often run these stalls, so the fish is fresh.
