Marken, Fishing for Eel Fishing has always been important for Marken, when the dike was closed in 1932, they had to switch gradually from saltwater fishes into fresh water fishes. Fishing on Eel has become a real tradition and this fishing boat is checking the nets (Fuiken) for eel. The number of eels are reducing due to changes in our environment and overfishing etc. …, but we have to keep in mind that the little eels are born in the Sargassosea (eastern part of the Caribbean sea) and have to swim to Europe!! Last but not least a few older ones have to return in order to close the circle!! A very fragile eco system!! The visibility on this day was very, very high, well over 20miles!!! My yesterday uploaded photo was taken from the same spot , but in western direction. Here you have a good view on the dike, the path is so nice to walk on ……… The Island Marken is surrounded by this type of dike. Without taking photo’s, you can make the walk along this dike in approx. 2 hours, we are now heading for the light-house! By-the-way, typical Dutch, you can take the bike and can go much faster round the Island!! The Marken peninsula is situated 20 km. north of Amsterdam in The Waterland region of Holland . This beautiful fishing village painted in full traditional colours offers you a fascinating insight into Dutch history, dating back to the 12th century. The wooden houses and architecture that form Marken are packed tightly together on earth mounds. Previous flooding of the area due to dike failures has forced the inhabitants of Marken to construct huge earth mounds in the bid to build on higher ground. The dike that attaches Marken to the mainland was finally finished in 1957. The Island Marken was before 1932 in the “ZuiderSea”. A dike (the “afsluitdijk”; 20 miles long) was constructed and in 1932 the Zuidersea was turned into the IJssellake which turned over the years from saltwater into freshwater. The whole eco-system had to change as well. Have a very nice week And thanks for you time viewing!! Henk