More than 90 protected species of plant and animal live within the port area
The Antwerp port area is one of the most important habitats for European endangered species. No fewer than 90 protected species of plant and animal live within the port area. Furthermore, a significant proportion of these plants and animals are specific to ports, being dependent for their continued existence in Flanders on habitats that typically occur in and around ports.
When protected species are found within the Antwerp port area it is forbidden for economic activities to threaten their continued existence. However, such a requirement is liable to create legal uncertainty for companies. In order to find a sustainable solution to this situation, a Species Protection Programme for the port of Antwerp has been developed over the past few years. This is a “first” for the port of Antwerp, namely the first location-specific programme in Flanders to be approved by the Flemish minister for the Environment.
The Species Protection Programme (SPP) is aimed at conserving protected species with significant populations within the port area. The conservation may apply to the port area as a whole, or may be limited to an individual company concession. By creating suitable “ecological infrastructure” (network of core conservation areas and corridors where port-specific fauna and flora can thrive), port operations are able to continue nearby and the port can expand further. In other words, nature conservation and economic activities are able to co-exist in harmony.
Thus by maintaining healthy populations of protected species within the port area as a whole, individual companies no longer have to curtail their activities or take avoiding action if for instance protected natterjack toads are found on their concession.
Source: Port of Antwerp
