Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

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Fish series

The shallow coastal Wadden Sea is known as the breeding grounds of the North Sea is an important area for many fish species - Atlas of North Sea fish. Apart from the temporary visitors, the Wadden Sea is also inhabited by resident species that spend (almost) their entire life in the Wadden Sea.

Whiting

January | young whiting can be found near the coast and in the Wadden Sea.

Plaice

February | The larvae of the plaice move to the shallow, rich seabed of the Wadden Sea.

Smelt

March | Up until the beginning of 2012 many of this species were caught in so-called fyke nets.

Bass

April | The bass returns to the Wadden Sea from its winter quarters and spawning grounds.

Herring

May | In 1932 the Enclosure Dam was built and the Zuiderzee became a lake; herring disappeared.

Greater Pipefish

Greater Pipefish

June | Many greater pipefish enter the Wadden Sea from the North Sea to spawn.

Mackerel

July | In winter, mackerel hibernate at a depth of a few hundred metres, in spring they return.

Horse Mackerel

August | Small fish are hiding between the tentacles of swimming jellyfish.

Sea Trout

September | We only catch migrating sea trout on their way to open sea or to the rivers.

Eel

October | In autumn when the grass is covered in morning dew you can sometimes see an eel.

Cod

November | In winter young cod appear in our waters in order to escape cannibalism by larger members.

Five-bearded rockling

Five-bearded rockling

December | Rockling spawns in the North Sea in winter in waters of approximately 10 metres depth.