Sailing The Contested North Sea With Dutch Fishermen

HARLINGEN, NETHERLANDS - MAY 30: Captain Dirk Romkes (L) reads the bible to his crew members Albert Romkes (2L), Jerold (C), Ryan (2R) and Henk (R) before departure on the fishing ship MDV-1 in the port of Harlingen on May 30, 2023 in Harlingen, Netherlands. The MDV-1 has an innovative motor with diesel electric propulsion. This ensures 60% fuel and CO2 savings compared to the same type of fishing vessels. The fishing ship is the property of family shipping company MDV BV from Urk, Netherlands. The North Sea is a major fishing area for the surrounding coastal states of Norway, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark and Belgium, with an average total harvest in recent years of slightly more than 1.8 million tonnes. The Brexit trade agreement of 2021 gradually reduces EU fishing opportunities due to limited number of fish stocks, a hard blow to Dutch fishermen who catch more than 45 percent of their stock in British waters. (Footage by Pierre Crom/Getty Images)