Another beach information board found during our tour of the Port of Rotterdam. Little Mr wanted to check out some of the private, company funded firestations dotted all around the port: they are specialised in dealing with chemical, oil and gas fires in the massive tankers and storage units here. Of course these stations are probably required by the insurance companies of the various corporations, but all equipment and training comes from the normal Dutch fire brigade. This is so that if they need to work together at any time, procedures followed and skills in using the equipment are identical.
It was early on a Saturday morning during the school holidays so we had the beach area fairly much to ourselves. This information board is all about the “Maasvlaktestraand” (Maasvlekte Beach)
Called the “Pre Delta”*, it reads:
“The pre-delta is a very special sea. This beach and sea are a unique area of the pre-delta. A shallow sea with sandbanks and deep gullies.
For humans it’s a natural beauty, but it’s vital for animals. At low tide the sandbanks are dry so seals like to warm up here in the sun. Flocks of birds pick here and there for snails, shrimp and small fish. The birds need to work quickly because their “restaurant” is open for just a few hours until the tide rises and the sandbanks disappear under water.
The area is for humans and animals. Five of the “rustgebieden” (**rest areas) are for nature, people enjoy and work in other places. In a soil reserve, fishermen and dredgers leave the ground alone.”
Kiwi’s notes:
* “Pre-delta” is the official name given to this area. Voordelta is a Natura 2000 site (classification: North Sea, Wadden Sea and Delta, number 113) in the Dutch provinces of Zeeland and South Holland. The Natura 2000 area extends over Goedereede, Hellevoetsluis, Noord-Beveland, Rotterdam, Schouwen-Duiveland, Veere, Vlissingen and Westvoorne. (as outlined in the map in the first photo.)
**”rustgebieden” literally means “rest areas”and I was struggling to figure what that meant in this context. Himself is a translator and informed me that the use of this word means more “a silent area where noise and disruption are not allowed, so birds and wildlife can have some peace… and quiet.”
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
The white dots with the bright red outlines at the bottom of the next photograph mean “rest / silent areas: ”
No trespassing under Nature Conservation Act.” (there was also a small block of text on the board giving the exact details:, paragraph, clauses, dates of the Act etc, but I figured that you didn’t need to be bothered with the legalise section).
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
