Fish Recycling Wieringermeer
Habitat and nursery area for migratory fish species
In 2020, we developed an area of more than 17 hectares in Slootdorp to improve fish migration to and from the Wieringermeer. This Fish Cycle, located in the triangle formed by Wieringerrandweg, Hippolytushoeverweg, and Robbenoordbos, is a habitat and nursery area for fish that migrate between fresh and salt water, such as glass eels (eels) and three-spined sticklebacks. Fish need sufficient food and shelter to reproduce and grow. The weirs, locks, and pumping stations built by humans have made it difficult for fish to access the polder. The brackish water in the Wieringermeer is also less suitable for freshwater fish to reproduce. This new Fish Cycle will give fish more space. Artist Pé Okx made a drone video of the construction:
Collaboration partners
The VisKringloop Wieringermeer project is part of Ruim Baan Voor Vissen (Make Way for Fish), a collaboration between the four northern water boards. The water board received a subsidy from the Wadden Fund to cover half of the costs. In addition, Staatsbosbeheer received a subsidy from the province of North Holland for the development of 5 hectares of Natuur Netwerk Nederland (Nature Network Netherlands). Vattenfall contributed to the construction of the water compensation for the wind farm.
Because the area is also attractive to hikers, a lookout tower and information panels have been installed and a hiking trail has been constructed. The municipality of Hollands Kroon manages the hiking trail and the lookout tower and, with a subsidy from the province of North Holland, has ensured that the hiking network connects to the route through the forest and past the lookout tower. The municipality has also designated this location as the best place to realize the objectives of this project. The grazing of the dikes by sheep is carried out by local farmers.
Circular design
The design is the brainchild of the HOSPER agency, artist Pé Okx, and ecologist Cor ten Haaf. It is based on the circles that are created when you throw two stones next to each other in the water. The circles contrast with the straight and clean lines in the Wieringermeer and refer to the past: the water of the Zuiderzee. Plants such as reeds and cattails grow in and on the gently sloping banks. In the deeper central section, there is sufficient flow and the water is rich in oxygen. Fish move through the area and from the inside to the outside via this section. A forest edge with shrubs has been planted at the edge of the existing forest to create a gradual transition from the forest to the wetland, which is suitable for insects and birds.