Ostend (Eurotoday) – At Ostend’s Vistrap, an interactive digital screen shaped like a shrimp is drawing attention by showing how locally caught fish makes its journey from sea to market. Charlotte Verkeyn and fisherman Lorenzo De Smit highlight its value in educating visitors and honouring the region’s fishing traditions.
According to VRT News, the shrimp-shaped screen at the Vistrap in Ostend displays the entire fishing process—from the moment fishermen leave port to the delivery of fresh fish at market stalls. The interactive display offers a vivid and educational look into the daily work of the local fishing community.
Charlotte Verkeyn, representing the Port of Ostend, noted that many people are unaware that the fish sold at the market was caught just the night before. She explained that the screen enhances transparency and appreciation of the fishing process while paying tribute to those who work in the industry. “It enriches the market and helps people make a connection with where their food comes from,” she added.
How Ostend’s Vistrap Screen Brings Local Fishing to Life
Local fisherman Lorenzo De Smit praised the initiative, saying it gives the public a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life at sea. “Many people, especially those who don’t live by the coast, don’t realise what fishing involves,” he said. “The screen shows visitors how we prepare our nets, maintain our boats, and work sustainably.”
De Smit believes that this kind of engagement helps the public better understand and respect the fishing profession. The screen was launched just ahead of Oostende voor Anker, Ostend’s maritime heritage festival that transforms the harbour into a living museum featuring historic ships and seafaring tales.
Officials emphasize that the Vistrap in Ostend is unique in Belgium, as it remains the only spot where consumers can buy fish directly from the fishermen who caught it. Each night, boats head out into the North Sea to catch species like sole, plaice, shrimp, and mackerel.
After returning to port, the fresh catch is unloaded at the Fish Ladder, where it is sorted and then quickly transported to nearby market stalls—often operated by the fishermen or their families. This ensures freshness and a personal connection between producers and consumers.
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