Recreational fishing in coastal waters, sea area, and the Dutch Visserijzone

The EC is currently developing an app. The EC and the European Union (EU) member states will test the app at the end of 2025. After the testing period, final adjustments will be made.

The app will likely be available by late December 2025 as a free download in the App Store (iOS) and the Play Store (Android). We will inform you on this website as soon as more information is available.

From 2026, new European rules apply for recreational fishing in salt waters. By registering your catch in the app, we can better assess the effects on the fish stocks. By using the app, you contribute to more sustainable fishing.

The app is still under development and may be changed. As far as is currently known, you must enter the following information into the app:

• the gear you used (for example fishing rods)
• where from you caught the fish (shore, boat, ice, underwater)
• the (FAO code of the) species you have caught
• the length and/or weight of the catch (in cm and/or grams)
• whether you kept or released the fish
• the location of your catch

Are you going to fish recreationally in the salt waters of another EU country? You also must register your catches in those countries, using a local app. These catches may differ from those in the Netherlands.

Each country has its own app in which you register your catches. We will inform you on this webpage as soon as there is more information available about these apps.

• In the coastal waters and the sea area you may use 2 rods per person maximum.
• Each rod may have up to 3 hooks.
• Eel fishing is prohibited. Have you caught an eel by accident? You must release it back into the water. From 10 January 2026, you must record in the app that you have caught (and released) an eel.

• You may only use a beam trawl in the Visserijzone, the sea area, and the Westerschelde.
• The vessel that you use has a maximum length of 8 metres.
• The vessel that you use has one single beam trawl, with a maximum length of 150 centimetres.
• Are you fishing for shrimp? Then you must follow certain rules for small-scale shrimp fishing. You can find these rules on Fishing for shrimp (Dutch).

• You may only use an otter trawl in the Visserijzone, sea area, and the Westerschelde.
• The vessel that you use has one single net. The plates are no higher than 70 centimetres. This is measured from the backside from the one plate to the backside from the other plate.
• Are you fishing for shrimp? Then you must follow certain rules for small-scale shrimp fishing. You can find these rules on Fishing for shrimp (Dutch).

Fishing with fixed gear in the sea area, the Visserijzone, or the coastal waters is generally not allowed. However, there are some exceptions to fishing with set gillnets.

Exception for set gillnets in coastal waters

In some parts of the coastal waters, you may use set gillnets if you register with the local municipality each year. You must also follow these rules:

• Not all areas are allowed, see Annex 17 of the Uitvoeringsregeling Visserij (Fisheries Regulation).
• You may use only one net per person.
• The net has a maximum length of 30 metres. In some areas around the Wadden Sea you may use a net with a length up to 100 metres. You can see which areas these are in Annex 18 of the Uitvoeringsregeling Visserij.
• The net must have floats.
• At low tides, the net must lie on the seabed.
• The municipality will assign a number to you. You will attach this sign on the fishing gear. The number must be clearly visible above all water levels.
• Fishing for seabass with set gillnets is prohibited. Have you caught a seabass by accident? Then you will release it back into the water. From 10 January 2026, you must then still record in the app that you have caught (and released) a seabass.

Exceptions for set gillnets in some municipalities in the Visserijzone

The following municipalities allow set gillnet fishing in the Visserijzone:

• Ameland
• Katwijk
• Schagen
• Schiermonnikoog
• Terschelling
• Texel
• Vlieland
• Westland
• Zandvoort

Applying for exemption and rules

Do you wish to fish with set gillnets in these municipalities? Then you must request permission from the municipality in which you want to fish. You can find more information about this on the website of the respective municipality.

Furthermore, you will follow these rules:

• You may use one gillnet per person. You must reapply for permission every year.
• The municipality will assign a number to you. You will attach this sign on the fishing gear. The number must be clearly visible above all water levels.
• Check your gear at least once every 24 hours.
• Report the bycatch of harbour porpoises to the municipality.
• Fishing for seabass with set gillnets is prohibited. Have you caught a seabass by accident? Then you will release it back into the water. From 10 January 2026, you must then still record in the app that you have caught (and released) a seabass.

Terms for net

These municipalities also set requirements to the net that you are using:

• The minimum mesh size is 105 millimetres (stretched).
• The net is single-layered.
• The maximum net length is 50 metres.
• The maximum net height is 110 centimetres (stretched).
• The net is anchored to the seabed. You will attach the upper line to the anchoring. You will do this no more than 65 centimetres above the bottom.
• The net will be placed between high and low tide lines.

Sometimes the municipality in which you want to fish may have additional conditions. You can inquire if there are any additional conditions with the municipality.