Sea and coastal fishing activities are carried out by an efficient and modern fleet of trawlers and inshore vessels. The inshore fleet fishes for sole and plaice, cod, whiting, herring and shrimps in nearby fishing grounds, mostly in the central and southern part of the North Sea. From the economic viewpoint flatfish fishing is the most important branch of fisheries in the Netherlands. The trawler fleet fishes for herring, mackerel and horse mackerel in the North Sea, and particularly in more distant water. Shellfish culture occurs largely in the waters of the province of Zeeland and in the Wadden Sea.
Mussel culture is the most significant branch.
Cockles are also fished commercially. In the context of the Common Fisheries Policy of the EU annual catch quotas are allocated to prevent stocks from being depleted. The Dutch policy aims to improve a responsible fisheries based on sustainability. In implementing this policy the focus is on the distribution of responsibilities in fisheries between the industry and the government and on the relation between fisheries and nature.