The biodiversity in the North Sea is under threat due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. Intensive fishing practices have depleted fish stocks and damaged the seabed. Pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities has led to water quality degradation. Additionally, infrastructure projects disrupt marine habitats, furt...Read more
The biodiversity in the North Sea is under threat due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. Intensive fishing practices have depleted fish stocks and damaged the seabed. Pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities has led to water quality degradation. Additionally, infrastructure projects disrupt marine habitats, further impacting marine life. We need to rethink how infrastructure projects are carried out, and consider how to design them more in harmony with nature.
Our collaborative effort with Deme Group & Artes, and MDK (Maritime Services and Coast Agency) aims to transform Blankenberge’s harbor dam into a model of sustainable, nature-inclusive infrastructure. The new harbor dam will be built not only with the traditional concrete Haro blocks but also with 40 nature-inclusive Haro blocks. These nature-inclusive units meet marine-grade concrete standards and are designed to promote ecological responsibility by fostering marine life. They support a diverse range of marine species, improve water quality, and stimulate carbon storage. The technology transforms marine concrete into habitable surfaces, promoting the growth of calcific organisms such as oysters, tubeworms, corals, and algae, which filter water, sequester carbon, and create a habitat for a variety of other marine life.
The goal of Go Ocean is to gain support for 40 eco units. The units are installed in 2025. When proven successful, the project can be expanded for large-scale application along the Belgian coastline and beyond.
To ensure the ecological benefits are realized and documented, we adhere to a comprehensive monitoring plan. The monitoring scope includes:
• Diversity indices: We will measure biodiversity, species richness, and species abundance between the eco Haro units and the traditional concrete blocks (A/B).
• Successional stages: Differences in biogenic buildup and successional stages will be recorded.
• Biological accumulation: We will assess the biological productivity and ecological value of the breakwater.
Nice to know: because the eco units can be customized with numbers and company logos, we can provide transparency, personal ecological monitoring, and unique branding opportunities.
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