Editing Blankenberge (section)

== The fishery ==
The first fishing activities date back to the <abbr>11th</abbr> century. <abbr>By the 12th</abbr> century, the fishing fleet had more than 60 ships. A pontoon was built in the 15th <abbr>century</abbr> in the vicinity of the lighthouse, a construction which served until the beginning of the <abbr>16th</abbr> century. The fishermen of Blankenberge would land their catch in barges which approached the beach. No port was constructed until 1871 when a navigation channel with a wharf was built. The fishery declined during the period between the two world wars and disappeared in 1945. The port was destroyed by the Germans in World War 2. A new port for pleasure boats was rebuilt in 1955. The port has undergone two more extensions and currently accommodates 1,000 boats.