BELGIUM 



The Belgian shrimp fishery has declined in recent years, both 

 in number of vessels and in size of catch. The decline is attributed to 

 hi^ operating costs of the boats, which are 10 to 30 years old, and to 

 a lack of capital to replace and rehabilitate the fleet. 



Under a law which became effective on August 23, 19U8, the 

 Belgian Government may provide assistance to the fishing industry. 

 According to this law, the reimbursement of a loan advanced by an author- 

 ized bank may be guaranteed by the Government. The same guaranty may be 

 extended for the purchase in Belgium or abroad of new fishing boats or 

 for the installation of new motors. In addition, the Government may pay 

 up to 50 percent of the interest due on loans. 



The shrimp caught is the gray shrimp, Crangon crangon . The 

 commercial sizes vary from 260 to 360 vjhole shrimp to the pound; the 

 shrinp measure from 1.8 to 3,3 inches from the tip of the rostrum to the 

 telson. 



The shrimp fishing areas are some 8 to 10 miles off the Belgian 

 coast and in the open sea off the Netherlands coast. Shrimp fishing is 

 carried on throughout the year. The catch is larger from April to 

 October, when some 67 percent of the annual catch is taken. The principal 

 ports of landing are Zeebrugge and Ostend , which together account for 

 87 percent of the total catch; the rest is landed at Nieupoii; and 

 Blankenberghe . 



Shrimp catches during the years 1952-55 ranged as follows (from 

 reports of the United States Foreign Service Despatches): 



Thousand pounds Value 2/ 



1/ Converted to United States dollar equivalent 

 at official rate of 50 Belgian francs equal $1. 



At the end of 1954, the shrimp-fishing fleet comprised some l5l 

 coastal motor cutters of an average gross tonnage of 10 to 35 tons. In 

 19li9, the fleet consisted of 187 vessels totaling 3,0ii6 gross tons. It 

 has declined each year since then. 



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