You must have heard of the fishing tow, towing, to spinning, to fly, sports, scuba diving, towing... I bet you do not know the horse fishing. Perhaps because it is not very widespread, but it is now practiced in a single place in the world: in the village of Oostduinkerke, Flanders. Only here, in fact, the ancient marine tradition of shrimp fishing.
An activity conducted in a sustainable way, in full respect of nature and therefore recognized by UNESCO as Immaterial Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Once this type of fishing was also widespread along the coasts of northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the south of England, but now it resists only in this small town about twenty kilometers from Ostende.
From June to September, in the hours preceding and following the low tide, you can see the ♪ (so these fishermen are called) engaged in fishing rikze garnalen, special variety of typical gray shrimps of the area. Tasty, they are also called "cavial of the North Sea" for their delicacy. They are among the main ingredients of many local dishes, such as tomatoes filled with shrimp and pink sauce and shrimp croquettes.
Combined with yellow waxes and rubber boots, the fishermen arrive on the beach riding their robust shooting horses, which pull the fishing nets. Horses are typically Bramantine breed, also known as Horse of Flanders, used since ancient times for the tow and widespread in the Middle Ages for its resistance in heavy agricultural works.
Diving to the chest, the horses sift the sea by filling the nets of shrimp, crabs and fish. From time to time, fishermen return to the shore to empty, select and collect the fruit of fishing in the large wicker baskets fixed to the saddle. Slightly downhill, completely flat and without submerged obstacles, the beach of Oostduinkerke is ideal for this type of fishing and offers the best environmental conditions that favor the proliferation of shrimps.
The working day ends with the arrival of the high tide. This is the most anticipated moment by tourists, who can finally enjoy the fresh shrimp cooked on the spot by fishermen and their wives. It is in fact a family activity, handed down from generation to generation, where each family member plays a precise role, from horse care to real fishing, to the sale of shrimp.
Horse fishing is practiced a couple of times a week, in correspondence of the low tide and each line takes place within about three hours. To get to know the best dates and times to see fishermen on horseback at work, please contact the Koksijde Tourist Office – Oostduinkerke, which regularly publishes the schedule of their activities, specifying also in which days the fish tastings are planned.
However, for a real meal of shrimp, you should participate in the annual Festival del Gambero the last weekend of June. On this occasion, not only can you eat shrimp at will, but also attend various events that celebrate the ancient tradition of fishermen on horseback, from the Parade of Gambero to the streets of the country to the election of Miss Gamberetto.
