The Belgian fishermen are committed to the fight against waste at sea. Within the framework of the international 'Fishing for litter' project, they take the waste on land that they collect during fishing. Previously, the waste was thrown back into the sea. The fishing fleet is provided with large garbage bags to use on board. When they return to the port, they can leave the garbage bags behind for processing and recycling.

As of 1 July, Filip Fontaine will become the general director of VLAM, Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board. Fontaine succeeds Frans De Wachter who will retire on 1 July 2019 after a long career with VLAM.

For the first time, the Belgian fish auctions will show the aspect of ‘sustainability’ on the auction clock. A green zone on the clock will from now on indicate to buyers for each batch of fish whether a minimum sustainability level has been achieved and whether the fisherman is in the process of improving even further.