Protecting Biodiversity

Water quality is the primary prerequisite for aquatic life in port areas. Hydrocarbons, heavy metals, wastewater, and sediments contaminated by decades of industrial activity: harbor basins often suffer from multiple sources of pollution that have virtually wiped out all marine life. Ambitious cleanup efforts, combined with the implementation of systems to treat stormwater and bilge water, can transform these biological wastelands into habitats where marine life has been restored. The installation of artificial reefs and shellfish collection systems are effective complementary techniques.

Example — Duwamish River People’s Park (Seattle, United States)
Removal of 60,000 metric tons of contaminated soil and sediment and addition of 20,000 metric tons of clean material. In the very first year of monitoring, more than 2,500 juvenile salmon were recorded at the restored site—tangible proof that nature can quickly reclaim its rightful place when the right conditions are created.

The principle that “we can only effectively protect what we know well” applies particularly to biodiversity in port areas, which is often poorly understood and under-documented. Regular inventories of the species present—fish, birds, invertebrates, and plants—make it possible to detect changes in the ecosystem, identify invasive species as soon as they appear, and assess the effectiveness of the protective measures put in place. Publishing this data in formats accessible to the general public enhances transparency and engages citizens in the biodiversity of their port.

Example — Duwamish River People’s Park (Seattle, United States)
A 10-year monitoring program tracks the recovery of fish and wildlife populations, the stability of the site, and overall ecological health. The data is shared publicly and supports recovery goals for chinook salmon and resident orcas—two iconic species of the Pacific Northwest.

The expansion of port areas has historically led to the massive destruction of sensitive natural habitats: the filling in of wetlands, the sealing of intertidal zones, and the artificial modification of natural riverbanks. The AIVP calls for the systematic application of an “avoid, reduce, compensate” (ARC) approach in all port development projects, with absolute priority given to avoidance. Ship-induced wave action—the waves created by passing ships—is also a cause of damage to natural riverbanks that navigation regulations must take into account.

Example — Bioenhancing Ecological Concrete Breakwater (Málaga, Spain)
The world’s first vertical breakwater using bio-enhancing ECOncrete technology: the concrete’s textured surfaces encourage the colonization of algae, mussels, sea urchins, and sponges, gradually creating a rich and diverse artificial habitat in the new megayacht harbor. An innovation that transforms port infrastructure into a marine ecosystem.

Nature conservation organizations, birdwatching groups, diving clubs, fishermen, and concerned local residents: civil society is a valuable resource for monitoring and protecting port biodiversity. These volunteers monitor natural habitats with a regularity and attention to detail that official agencies cannot always match. Supporting them—financially, logistically, and by granting them access to port areas—is a low-cost and highly effective investment in biodiversity conservation.

Example — Green Alat (Baku, Azerbaijan)
In partnership with the WWF, the Port of Baku is committed to protecting more than 40 bird species on Gill Island by promoting nesting and creating ecological habitats. The program also includes the modernization of the wastewater treatment plant and a conservation program for the Caspian sturgeon, a critically endangered flagship species.

Beyond protecting existing species and habitats, ports have the capacity to initiate and fund active biodiversity development programs within their territories. Creating artificial reefs, replanting seagrass beds, reintroducing extinct species, planting hedgerows on port land, and creating pollinator gardens on warehouse rooftops: the opportunities are numerous and often inexpensive. Ecological compensation mechanisms and biodiversity banks offer innovative financial frameworks to ensure the long-term sustainability of these commitments.

Example — Duwamish River People’s Park (Seattle, United States)
The habitat credit bank created by the Port of Seattle allows third parties subject to ecological compensation obligations to invest in the site’s restoration. This self-financing model transforms ecological restoration into an economically viable activity and demonstrates an innovative way to ensure the long-term sustainability of biodiversity commitments in port areas.