Harlingen, Friesland’s only seaport and gateway to the Wadden Sea, plays a central role in protecting this rare UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dit Canal is crucial for shipping and connects the Wadden Sea with the hinterland.

Concerned resident
Henk Prins, a concerned Harlingen resident, has been cleaning Harlingen’s banks for years. The van Harinxmakanaal is one of the last stops for plastic pollution before it reaches the Wadden Sea. Through his action, Henk drew attention to this problem.

The Municipality of Harlingen, in cooperation with Province of Fryslân and Rijkswaterstaat, started the initiative to place a Bubble Barrier in Harlingen.

Capturing plastic before it reaches the Wadden Sea.
The Bubble Barrier is a perforated tube at the bottom of the waterway through which air is pumped. This creates air bubbles. Those bubbles form a screen of bubbles that blocks plastic throughout the water column and moves it to the surface.

The diagonal placement of the Bubble Barrier in the waterway then guides plastic pollution toward the side and into the collection system. Thus, bubble barrier catches plastic pollution before it enters the Wadden Sea and does so without obstructing the passage of ships.

Previous research showed that fish can easily swim through the bubbles or under the collection system. Because fish behavior is complex and varies by waterway, research is being conducted by ATKB and Wageningen Marine Research on fish behavior around the bubble screen.

Preventative effect
Bubble Barrier Harlingen not only counteracts plastic pollution, but also offers the opportunity to make residents and passersby extra aware of the problem through the placement of an information board.

Van den Herik is Technical Partner
As a Technical Partner of The Great Bubble Barrier®, we are making a concerted effort against plastics pollution in our waters. Check the video below for more information about this wonderful project. Or read more about our partnership.