Cutter fishing seeks skilled crew for the future
The sector examines the causes and solutions to a looming labour shortage.
The Dutch cutter fishing industry risks being unable to find enough skilled crew. The sector has therefore launched an investigation into the causes of the shortage and possible solutions, while the government is encouraging training and improved recruitment and allowing limited scope for labour migration.
In May, the Fisheries Sector Council commissioned ProSea Marine Education to investigate the crewing issue. Crew emerged as one of the main bottlenecks in the future vision for cutter fishing and in a survey by the Fisheries Innovation Network.
According to the sector, the problem is not limited to cutter fishing. Pelagic fishing and shellfish fishing also face the risk of shortages. The sector first wants to gain a better understanding of which factors influence the recruitment and retention of workers. These include working conditions, training, the sector’s image and how long people remain in the industry.
A national figure for the shortage of skilled fishers is not yet available. In answers to parliamentary questions, the cabinet reported that in the first quarter of 2026 one application for an employment permit from the sea-fishing industry had been submitted and one permit had been issued. That figure describes permit applications, not the total scale of the staff shortage.
According to the same answers, enrolments in maritime training programmes fell slightly over the period concerned, by 1.7 per cent. The number of qualifications awarded rose by 3.7 per cent, according to the cabinet. The figures therefore point both to concerns about recruitment and to a possible improvement in the completion of training.
The government first points employers to their own responsibility for employment conditions and working conditions. At the same time, work is under way on a Fishing Development Path (Ontwikkelpad visserij), which could make training programmes eligible for training subsidies. The sector is also examining how workers from other European countries can be trained and deployed more easily.
For fishing companies, the issue directly affects their operations. A cutter cannot put to sea without enough qualified crew, meaning staff shortages can affect catches, scheduling and turnover. Training and employment conditions take time and money, but doing nothing is no more sustainable an option for small family businesses.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The fishing sector is reporting a looming shortage of skilled crew.
- Research is being conducted into the causes and solutions.
- The government and the sector are working on training programmes and possible labour-market measures.
Left
Arguments The sector should primarily invest in safe working conditions, better pay and sustainable careers before seeking additional labour migration.
Values Good work, social protection and security of livelihood.
Consequences Better conditions could increase recruitment, but would raise costs for fishing companies in the short term.
Centre
Arguments A combination of sector-based training, public support and controlled recruitment from Europe could gradually reduce the shortage.
Values Pragmatism, continuity and shared responsibility.
Consequences The approach spreads the burden, but is unlikely to provide a quick solution for vessels currently short of crew.
Right
Arguments The government should not make rules for deployable crew unnecessarily complicated and should give companies room to recruit staff from within the country and abroad themselves.
Values Entrepreneurship, flexibility and competitiveness.
Consequences Greater labour-market freedom could get the fleet operating more quickly, but without robust training requirements, safety and expertise could come under pressure.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article distinguishes sector signals from official figures and makes no claim about an exact national shortage. Its central argument is supported by a sector source and answers from the cabinet.
- confirmed The Fisheries Sector Council commissioned research into the crewing issue. — VisNed describes the commission given to ProSea Marine Education. source
- confirmed According to the sector, the crewing problem also affects pelagic fishing and shellfish fishing. — Mentioned in VisNed’s report. source
- confirmed In the first quarter of 2026, one employment permit was applied for and one was issued. — Included in the answers to parliamentary questions. source
- confirmed Enrolments in maritime training programmes fell by 1.7 per cent and qualifications rose by 3.7 per cent. — The percentages appear in the cabinet’s answers. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the sector has launched a crewing investigation and that the government and sector are working on training. An exact national scale of the shortage and the final results of the investigation were not yet available.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „visserij kottervisserij”
- Trouw — „visserij kottervisserij”
- RTL Nieuws — „visserij kottervisserij”