Belgium: Shrimp Fishing on Horseback (De Belgische Kust)

On the north-west Belgian coast, there is a little-known tradition: shrimp fishing on horseback. To do it, the fishermen drag the fishing nets behind them, picking up the shrimp from the sands while on horseback. The fishermen train Belgian draft horses, with an average weight of 1000kg, and use special materials to capture the shrimp. Listed, since December 2013, on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity because of the activity’s respect for the marine environment and the cultural heritage and promotion it provides to the local community among other reasons, shrimp fishing on horseback is currently only practiced by 15 fishermen who work as a community and are fully involved in keeping this tradition alive.

Stamp:
Shrimp Fishermen on Horseback - Issued: 27-06-2015


Many thanks to Lara for this nice card with matching stamp!