The Dutch ‘fish doorbell’ has been pressed 150,000 times so far this year

The world is watching 🐟

As fish migration season comes to a close, the finned friends of the Utrecht canals have gained more than just passage through the Weerdsluis, but international stardom too.

Viewers worldwide watch live underwater footage of the migrating fish waiting at the Weerdsluis gates, pressing a digital bell to let the lock keeper know it’s time to let them swim on.

This spring, they o-fish-ally went viral. 🌍

The bell was pressed 150,000 times, and 20 million people watched the stream, compared to 8.2 million last year.

Swimming superstars

The live stream is available via visdeurbel.nl and the world has been watching — it’s got to be the most innovative and educational kind of reality viewing.

The fish were particularly popular among viewers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. 🐟

@thunder_keck #usefulclearnetsites finally after a long winter waiting its back open #becomingsustainable ♬ Smiles & Sunsets – ultmt. & Hz.

The famous fishies are also making a splash in international media, hitting the headlines and featuring on TV in South Africa, New Zealand, and Serbia.

READ MORE | 7 great Dutch inventions you never knew were Dutch

Soon, global watchers could be enjoyin their own local streams, as research is being conducted to install more fish doorbells across the world.

But the Dutch will always have the original, and we’ll be ready next March when it’s finally back in action.

What do you think about the ‘fish doorbell’ initiative? Let us know in the comments below.

Feature Image:Unsplash
Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
Lottie landed in the Netherlands in 2023 to complete her studies in the wonderful city of Utrecht, and joined the DutchReview family not long after. As a film lover and avid writer, she enjoys exploring the culture amid the Dutch tranquility, tulips and slices of tompouce. Plus, the looming grey skies and questionable cuisine aren't exactly a far cry from her English home.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related posts

Latest posts

VPNs in the Netherlands: The ultimate 2025 guide

The Netherlands’ fastest and most reliable VPNs enable you to protect your privacy online, access region-locked content, and securely browse the net. 🤳 Whether you’re...

7 ways Dutchies and Italians are more alike than you think

At first glance, Italians and the Dutch seem worlds apart, shaped by different histories, climates, and habits, but what’s less often explored is what...

Amsterdam officials tell people to avoid the city centre on King’s Day

Amsterdam’s got one royal request this King’s Day: keep the party local and don’t crush the canals. The city council is waving the orange flag...

It's happening