Defending the coast

It’s Sea Week at the Flemish Coast, which means a lot of eco-friendly activities

Morcheeba must have visited the Flemish coast at some time. Their song “The Sea” could have been written in Blankenberge:

Flocking to the sea
Crowds of people wait for me
Sea gulls scavenge
Steal ice cream
Worries vanish
Within my dream

Plenty of people are certainly expected to be flocking to the sea between 24 April and 10 May, as it’s Sea Week at the Flemish Coast. Yes, you’re right, 17 days is a very long week. But that’s one of the benefits of visiting the coast. Not only do your worries vanish; you lose track of time.

Sea Week is an annual event where attention is focused on the ecology of the coast to help people understand that, while the coast is there to be enjoyed, it’s still a unique and exceptionally fragile ecosystem. The sea, beach and dunes must be treated with respect and care to ensure that the coast remains a viable habitat for the animals and plants that make it their home, as well as for future generations of human visitors.

During the weekdays of Sea Week, it will be the younger generations who will be flocking to the sea. Thousands of school children will participate in hundreds of educational workshops and projects.

For the rest of us, the weekends have been set apart. The busiest is expected to be the holiday weekend of 2-3 May, with a host of events for young and old organised in all of the coastal towns. De Panne, Bredene and De Haan are transformed into Sea Villages with vibrant information stands and maritime-related activities. Boat excursions are available from Blankenberge and Ostend. The fish market in Nieuwpoort opens its doors, as does a seashell exhibition in Bredene.

As the oldest and largest nature reserve on the Flemish coast, De Zwin is particularly busy, especially on 2 May with its Open Day. A marked footpath takes you through the reserve to over 20 stopping points. At each one there is something to see, do, eat, drink, or simply think about.

Activities for children include an environmental treasure hunt, checking out water bugs under a microscope, and a puppet show with an eco message.

You can buy products made from plants and herbs growing in De Zwin, such as Zwin tea, Zwin soap and Zwin hand cream, or sample local delicacies like apple beer.

For a more energetic day out, you can join a guided walk through the reserve or grab a seat at the bird observation post to see what waders you can identify through a telescope. You could equally check out the bats in the local bunker, or even watch a demonstration by local sheep dogs. Numerous information stands are dotted all over the reserve, and experts are on hand to explain any questions you might have about the flora and fauna of the coast.

At the end of the day, you will probably be thinking of a meal involving fish. Some 34 restaurants along the seafront are offering a special Sea Week Menu, the objective of which is to promote sustainable seafood.

The sea is a marvellous source of food, but it’s not inexhaustible. Sustainable fishing involves causing as little damage as possible to the environment and fish stocks, while taking into account the economic importance of the sea for the Flemish fishing industry. During Sea Week, the diner will be guided towards eating the right types of fish. Restaurant owners and chefs will be on hand to give advice and background information to the discerning fish-eater.

If you’re not able to get to the coast and are wondering what’s on the list of recommended seafood, it includes Alaska pollack with the Marine Stewardship Council label; North Sea pollack; sea bass from Nieuwpoort; herrings; sprats; sardines from the Netherlands or France (but not from the Mediterranean); shrimps with the Purus label; and mussels cultivated off the Flemish coast.

Sea for yourself

Saturday 2 May

Zeebrugge, 9.00

Nature walk around Heist Bay

Westende, from noon onwards

Follow the shrimp fishermen on horseback

Koksijde-Bad, 14.30

Sand, sea, wind and chalk. All of which adds up to wind painting

Oostduinkerke, all afternoon

Horse & cart rides along the beach

Nieuwpoort, 14.30

Guided walk in the Ijzermonding nature reserve