Contact: Henrike Semmler
A new multi-year partnership between WWF and By & Havn, the company that develops new areas in the city of Copenhagen and operates the port, aims to improve fish habitats and increase port biodiversity. By & Havn wants Copenhagen harbour to be a laboratory and an inspiration to other ports in Denmark and the wider Baltic.
The nature-positive cooperation is based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life below water, and aims to enhance the opportunities for nature below the surface of the water. The Port of Copenhagen is world famous for its high water quality and numerous swimming spots. Nevertheless, healthy habitats for fish and other marine biodiversity are also key components of a good port environment. The partnership aims to show that life below the surface is also special, with the goal of creating even more life.
“Nature-positive production is characterized by a regenerative, non-depleting and non-destructive use of natural resources. It is based on stewardship of the environment and biodiversity as the foundation of critical ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and soil, water, and climate regulation.”
Scientific Group of the UN Food Systems Summit 2021
The partnership is a good example of how urban development and nature conservation can go hand in hand if nature is taken into account from the start. In the first project, 50 ‘biohuts’ will be installed as habitats for juvenile fish. Biohuts are small cages filled with mussel shells – artificial habitats which offer food and shelter to juvenile fish that naturally enter harbours and other marine facilities. These will help the survival rate of fish larvae, thereby increasing fish stocks. Biodiversity will also increase as the fish will attract other species that prey on fish, in turn creating a better environment for all marine life in the port.
In the first year of the partnership a baseline report will be written and used to form the basis for future projects and help analyze their impact. Read more about the partnership and the development projects here.
This article is part of the WWF Baltic Newsletter – May 2021
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