Prawn fishing ~ Oostduinkerke

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In former years the sight of southwester capped fishermen riding on draught horses was commonplace along the shores of Belgium, the Netherlands, north-eastern France and eastern England. Today you will only find a handful of them in one place: Oostduinkerke, one of the most charming beaches on our coast.

 

Of course, the fact that this ancient way of fishing is still used on this beach is due to the great feeling for traditions of the population of Oostduinkerke, this typical community of golden hearted fishermen; but it is also due to the fact that Oostduinkerke has an ideal beach with a gentle slope, with no underwater obstacles.

Lastly the beach at Oostduinkerke, because of its situation and its topography, makes an ideal feeding ground with excellent bait for the shrimps.

 

The shrimp fishing takes place at low tide, both in summer and in winter, for about two hours, i.e. one hour before and one hour after low water. The fishermen, clad in traditional southwester, bright yellow oilskins and rubber waders, climb into the saddle. A brief word of command, the lines between collar and net tighten and off they go. Breast deep in water, the horses advance at a steady pace, often side by side, dragging the nets up which scoop up both wanted and unwanted prey from the bottom. From time to time, the fishermen and his mount leave the water to empty the net and to put the contents into two wicker baskets fixed on each side of the horse.

Usually the horse is a robust stallion of the Brabant or Hainaut breed, for this work requires exceptional strength and powers of resistance. At one time the fisherman used to use mountain mules which came to the coast in convoys. But today mules are becoming rare and the cost of transport too high.

 

As soon as the fisherman returns home, the shrimps are cooked and offered for sale by the fisherman and his wife.

 

Done