The traditional Dutch auction of the first keg of ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’ brought in a record amount of 113,500 euros this year. Today is Flag Day in the Netherlands. For the first time in three years, Scheveningen can fully celebrate the start of the herring season. Flag Day was held on a small scale in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus. This year the organization expects thousands of people in the port of Scheveningen.
One of the elements of Flag Day is the fleet review, where fishing vessels show themselves. They used to leave the harbor of Scheveningen for this and sailed along the beach. This year they will remain moored in the port. “Because of the high diesel prices. These cannot be recovered at the fish auction. There is no reason to now happily sail around as if nothing is wrong. Fishermen find it inappropriate to waste a few thousand liters of expensive diesel by to sail around while a large part of the fleet has to stay indoors because the fishing is not profitable,” says Gerbrand Voerman, chairman of the Dutch foundation that organizes Flag Day.
Two fishing unions joined this week in the farmers’ protest against the nitrogen plans of the Dutch cabinet. They do not rule out spontaneous actions, but Voerman does not think they will show up on Flag Day. “Flag Day is a celebration for herring, I think the fishermen know that too. I don’t think they want to spoil it with inappropriate actions.”
Just before Flag Day, the first barrel of herring is traditionally auctioned for a good cause. That auction raised a record amount of 113,500 euros this year, intended for the Ambulance Wish Foundation. This ensures that terminally ill people can fulfill their last wish.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.