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

From 2026, new European rules apply to recreational fishing in coastal waters, the sea area and the Visserijzone. By registering your catches in the app, we can better assess the effects of recreational fisheries on the fish stocks.

We all want to protect and sustainably manage fish stocks in the sea. In order to do this, we need a clear and reliable picture of all fishing activities in the European Union. Not only of the fishing activities of commercial fishing, but also of recreational fishing.

It is important that we know how many fish of certain species are present in an area. For that, we need to keep a close eye on fish stocks. The data from your catches help with this. Knowing how a species is doing helps us to protect vulnerable species. In this way, you contribute to more sustainable fishing.

When you use the app for the first time, you create an EU Login account. Enter your name and email address and choose a password. You need an internet connection to create an account.

You can find more information about creating an account on the website of the European Union.

Have you caught a sea bass, bluefin tuna or eel? Then you need to register the following information:

• the species of fish that you have caught
• the number of fish of this species you have caught
• the fishing gear that you used (for example: rod)
• from where you were fishing (coast, vessel, ice, underwater)
• the length and/or weight of the fish (in centimetres and/or kilograms)
• whether you kept the fish or released it
• where you have caught the fish
• the date and time of your catch

Are you going to fish recreationally in salt waters in another EU country? From 2026, you must also use an app there to register the fish species that you catch. These species may differ from those in the Netherlands. Many other EU countries also use the RecFishing app, but not all.

EU countries with the RecFishing app

You also use the RecFishing app if you fish in salt waters in the following countries:

• Belgium
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Italy
• Malta
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Sweden

You can find more information about recreational fishing in these countries in the app. In the menu, click on More and then on the page Read more about fisheries legislation.

EU countries without the RecFishing app

Are you going to fish in an EU country that does not use the RecFishing app? Then check locally how you need to register your catches and which species you must register.

• 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.
• Did you catch one of the fish species listed in annex 1 of the Fishing opportunities regulation with a beam trawl? Then, you must always release it. This only applies to the fish species listed in annex 1.
• Are you fishing for shrimp? Then you must follow certain rules for small-scale shrimp fishing. You can find these rules on Fishing without a shrimp permit (Dutch).

• You may only use an otter trawl in the Visserijzone, sea area, and the Westerschelde.
• The vessel that you use has a maximum length of 10 metres.
• 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.
• Did you catch one of the fish species listed in annex 1 of the Fishing opportunities regulation with an otter trawl? Then, you must always release it. This only applies to the fish species listed in annex 1.
• Are you fishing for shrimp? Then you must follow certain rules for small-scale shrimp fishing. You can find these rules on Fishing without a shrimp permit (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.