Utilising the full potential of dredging works: ecologically enriched extraction sites

Abstract

Marine extraction sites alter the morphologyof the seabed and in doing so offer uniqueopportunities to create a new environment inthese locations. A new physical lay-out meansdeeper waters and different currents andsediment characteristics, which offerconditions to develop a new ecosystem ora sanctuary for certain fish species. Thispotential has been tested in a full-scale pilotproject in an extraction site in the North Seawithin the Building with Nature researchprogramme