Herring, a sustainable experience

The herring season starts on 14 June this year. At last, people can enjoy eating Hollandse Nieuwe to their heart’s content again.

Hollandse Nieuwe?

At many fish stalls, you can order a little herring all year round. But in January, you are not eating Hollandse Nieuwe. Hollandse Nieuwe is a fish that is in season from May until the end of August.

Almost extinct

Due to overfishing, North Sea herring was seriously endangered. That is why the North Sea was ‘closed’ to herring fishing for five years in 1978. Herring fishing was permitted again from 1983 onwards. There are now regulations for herring fishing, meaning that herring can be caught and eaten responsibly.

A sustainable fish

The Marine Stewerdship Council (MSC) fishery label ensures that these regulations are followed. Herring is now doing extremely well. On 12 June, MSC is launching a campaign: Herring, a sustainable experience! With this campaign, MSC wants to emphasise that all Hollandse Nieuwe has been caught sustainably.

The catch is strictly monitored: you are not allowed to fish too much herring from the sea. In addition, the herring itself determines its sustainable nature. It swims in shoals, after all. This means that herring fishermen do not need to ‘scrape’ the seabed, so starfish or other fish are never accidentally caught. Herring fishing therefore has almost no bycatch. Herring lovers can enjoy eating a little herring with peace of mind.