Harvesting sea vegetables, such as glasswort and sea lavender, on mudflats and salt marshes outside the dykes has been a tradition in Zeeland for centuries.
However, in certain areas, this practice has led to negative effects on nature, such as the disturbance of breeding birds. Recently, local authorities, nature organisations and sea vegetable harvesters have been searching for alternative locations where Zeeland’s tradition of harvesting sea vegetables can be practised sustainably in the future, whilst respecting both the enjoyment of nature and its conservation values.
Commissioned by the Province of Zeeland, a quick scan was carried out to identify alternative locations in Zeeland for harvesting sea vegetables within the dykes, specifically glasswort and sea aster (commonly known as ‘lamsoor’). Two sites, the Bruinisse reclamation area and the Orisant/Kuupjesweg reclamation area, have been identified to explore their potential and suitability for these purposes. This report describes the preconditions for the growth of the aforementioned halophytes based on a literature review. The two designated sites are characterised, and an assessment is made as to whether, given the preconditions for the growth of halophytes, they are suitable or what measures and interventions could be taken to make the sites suitable. Potential risks and management measures are also explored.