Reporting fishing vessels and fishing tackle

In the Netherlands, if you want to use a fishing vessel for commercial fishing, you must register the boat (in Dutch) with the Dutch Register of Fishing Vessels (NRV) through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. You must report any changes, such as change of ownership or removal from service, to RVO as well.

Reporting new construction, renovation or change of ownership of fishing vessels

You are required to report the new construction, renovation or change of ownership of a fishing vessel to the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport, ILT). When making this report, you apply simultaneously for the certificates and declarations you require. These depend on the length of your ship, the tonnage and the areas in which you sail.

Certification and inspection of fishing vessels

ILT inspects and certifies fishing vessels. The owner of a vessel is responsible for having it inspected annually by the ILT.

Digitally recording fishing trips

If you have a fishing vessel under 12 metres long, you must keep records on your fishing trips and report them to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Since 1 January 2018, the paper logbook has been replaced by an E-lite logboek on the Netherlands Enterprise Agency website (RVO.nl).

Using large fishing tackle on inland waterways

If you wish to fish using large fishing tackles in Dutch inland waterways, you have to report to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. You do not need to have a fishing licence. For more information, please contact the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.

Automatic Identification System (AIS)

If you have a fishing vessel longer than 15 meters, you must have an Automatic Identification System (AIS) on board, which needs to be kept operational during all time. If your fishing vessel is longer than 12 meter, you must register (in Dutch) all new and approved vessel monitoring systems (VMS) with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) and notify them of any changes.