First barrel of herring auctioned off for €78,000

The first barrel of new herring was sold for 78 thousand euros at the Scheveningen fish auction on Tuesday. True to tradition, the proceeds will be donated to a good cause, ANP reports.

This year's recipient is Hulphond Nederland, a foundation that trains aid dogs for people with mental or physical problems like epilepsy or PTSD. Hulphond Nederland director Rudolph Strickwold is delighted by the donation. "We'll use this financial contribution for the therapy and coaching program for children", he said, according to the news wire.

The auction of the first barrel of Hollandse Nieuwe is the official kick-off of the herring season. From Wednesday, herring is for sale everywhere in the Netherlands.