Time seems to stand still in the harbor of Den Oever on a 182-year-old fishing boat. Tjeerdo Wieberdink knows the age-old ship, and with it a part of its history, inside and out. From ancient history he philosophizes with NH News on the future of endangered fisheries. “It doesn’t smell like fish in here, but it’s full of fishermen.”
Tjeerdo Wieberdink in the port of Den Oever: Den Oever 360 – NH Nieuws
The WR60, as the old Wieringer Skuutje is called, was once a fishing boat itself, but is dwarfed by modern cutters. “Just the equipment on board,” explains Tjeerdo. “This ship, the oldest surviving fishing vessel in the Netherlands, didn’t even have a winch to haul in nets. And no engine either, so without the right wind you couldn’t enter the harbor, even in winter.”
The hardships experienced by skippers on such Skuutjes naturally bring us to the current situation surrounding the fishermen in Den Oever. Due to laws and regulations regarding nitrogen and the extreme fuel prices, the future for the fishery on Wieringen seems increasingly uncertain. “But this remains a fishing port, I’m not so afraid of that.”
NH 360° in the harbor of Den Oever
NH Nieuws was in the port of Den Oever for three days this week. Fishermen in North Holland fear for their future due to the tightened nitrogen regulations. From the building of the Skuut WR60 foundation in Den Oever, we reported and discussed the possible disappearance of fishing. From all sides: 360 degrees.
Tjeerdo says this with the necessary historical knowledge in his pocket. As a board member of the Stichting Onderdak Nautisch Erfgoed Wieringen, he knows more about the historic boats than the owners at the time. “We had research done on old wood on this ship and we now know that that wood comes from an oak tree that started growing in 1690.”
“Yes, it is getting quieter here in the harbor, but we do have all the facilities”
Overflowing with knowledge about the Wieringer Aakjes (another type of ship) and Skuutjes, Tjeerdo also sees that a lot has changed. “Yes, it is getting quieter here in the harbour, but we do have all the facilities for fishermen they need.” Referring to all the crafts that have established themselves around the fishing port over the years.
Tourism
Because of these good facilities, he does not see the fishing port closing soon, but it does change. “You notice that there is more focus on tourism.” He does, however, question that. “Tourists don’t know Wieringen very much, they think it’s nicer to go to an island like Terschelling or Vlieland.”
Tjeerdo himself thinks that tranquility is fine. “I like it quiet, but there are people who would like to see it busier here.” In terms of story, Den Oever is also not really inferior to old fishing villages such as West-Terschelling, Marken or Volendam. Secretly, according to this skipper, the Wieringer village has more to offer than just the fishing port. “But don’t say it too loud”, he concludes with a laugh.
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