Van Blackpoint naar ecologisch herstel: estuariene natuurontwikkeling aan het Fort Sint-Filips (Fort Filip): Syntheserapport van de projectmonitoring

De Vlaamse Waterweg nv and Port of Antwerp-Bruges are improving and expanding the estuarine area near Fort Sint-Filips and Parelplaat, in line with the Sigma Plan and the redevelopment of Fort Sint-Filips. The objectives are safety, navigability, and nature development.

A new dam has effectively tackled the deep flood channel and erosion pit, improving bank stability. The flow velocities in the navigation channel have increased slightly, which was largely expected. Erosion did occur at the Krankeloon and Parelplaat sandbanks, making further monitoring crucial.
Approximately 11 hectares of new intertidal mudflat area has been developed.

Although part of this was at the expense of existing nature, the revised target of 7.5 hectares of quality improvement was achieved. Macrozoobenthos is colonizing the new mudflats, but there is still no clear increase in water birds. Local salt marsh development is visible. This project successfully combines remediation, dike protection, navigability, and nature creation.