Integrated Marine Informations System - IMIS

In September 2008 the construction of Maasvlakte 2, an enlargement of Rotterdam harbour with 20 km2, started. For the first phase of the project an amount of 290 million m3 of marine sand is needed. A study is made which describes the influence of the construction and sand extraction on nature and other uses of the sea. Monitoring has started to examine the effects of this large scale marine sand extraction. The influence of the extraction on benthic fauna in the vicinity of the pit and the recovery of the benthic fauna within the pits are studied by sampling in influenced areas to determine biomass and species until total recovery is reached. It is expected that the benthic fauna will recover within 6 years. This study is part of the baseline measurements started in 2006 to study not only the re-colonization but also the effect of a possible decrease in light to pass through the water column during the period of sand extraction. This might result in decrease in food for e.g. molluscs which in turn are a staple diet of bird and fish species. This research is carried out for the Port of Rotterdam.