Waterdunen, located near Groede, in the southwestern part of the Netherlands, is a man-made saline tidal landscape developed following the reinforcement of the primary coastal defence system. The 300 ha area combines estuarine nature development, recreation and aquaculture within a 3.2 km tidal creek system. North Sea water enters the system through culverts that dampen tidal fluctuations, resulting in a tidal range of approximately 1.2 m. Around 30 ha of the site is designated for aquaculture activities. Opened to the public in 2022, Waterdunen is still under development and is expected to attract approximately 100,000 visitors annually.
Aquaculture production
Since 2020, experimental aquaculture activities have focused on the cultivation of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and saline crops, including glasswort (Salicornia europaea) and sea aster (Tripolium pannonicum). The saline crops are cultivated along the creek shorelines, while oyster production takes place within a designated 7,500 m2 area at the end of the creek system. Oyster growth rates have exceeded expectations, although the currently allocated production area appears insufficient for fully commercial-scale production. Nevertheless, the site has proven highly suitable as a demonstration and education location for aquaculture. Public accessibility through an extensive network of footpaths, combined with the limited tidal range, provides visitors with clear visibility of both oyster cultivation systems and saline crop production sites.
Public engagement
Due to its unique integration of tidal nature, recreation and aquaculture, Waterdunen offers significant opportunities to strengthen public awareness and social acceptance of aquaculture. Several outreach and educational activities have therefore been implemented, including informational panels at production sites, training sessions for local nature guides, and regular guided excursions. During 2024, approximately 60 guided tours were organised in the area. These activities contribute to increase public understanding of sustainable aquaculture practices and demonstrate the potential of multifunctional coastal landscapes to support social licensing of aquaculture.