On a crisp, wintry day on Belgium's far-western coast, Gunther Vanbleu rides his draft horse down the sandy beach and into the shallow waters. As the bright yellow of Vanbleu's anorak stands out against the waves, under the water, his draft horse - characterized by its powerful hindquarters - pulls a chain along the sand, causing a vibration that sends shrimp jumping into an outstretched net. The coastal village of Oostduinkerke is the last place in the world where horseback shrimp fishing is still practiced - today as a UNESCO-recognised centuries-old tradition rather than a commercial enterprise. FILE PHOTO: Gunther Vanbleu, 49, a Belgian shrimps fisherman with 10 years of experience, rides his carthorse named Martha to haul a net out of the sea to catch shrimps during low tide...
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