Aestian Island – A New Point on the Map of Poland

Aestian Island has been artificially created in the Vistula Lagoon. This investment is part of a larger undertaking, the construction of the Vistula Spit canal. The island’s creation has captured public attention, sparking both interest and controversy due to its scale and planned functions related to environmental protection.

Aestian Island – The Origin of the Name

The name “Aestian Island” was selected in a nationwide competition organized a few years ago by the Ministry of Marine Economy and Inland Navigation (which was dissolved in 2020). In an online vote involving nearly 22,000 people, this name was chosen. It is currently a temporary name and still awaits official approval by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration.

The name refers to the historical name of the Vistula Lagoon – Estmere, known from the accounts of the 9th-century traveler Wulfstan. “Estmere” comes from Old Prussian, where “Aistei” meant the Aesti people and “mari” meant lagoon, together translating to “Lagoon of the Aesti.” Thus, the island’s name evokes the medieval past of the region and the peoples who inhabited these lands centuries ago.

The Origin of the Island

Aestian Island was created to manage the dredged material from the construction of the Vistula Spit canal. Located off the coast of Przebrno, approximately 2 km from the shore and 4.5 km from the canal, the island covers an area of about 181 hectares, with an elliptical shape and a circumference of 4.9 km. Its shape has been defined by steel walls.

The construction of the island began in 2019, representing a significant engineering challenge. The project is being carried out by the NDI/Besix consortium, which specializes in hydrotechnical projects, with the Maritime Office in Gdynia serving as the investor.

The Construction Process

The construction of Aestian Island is a multi-stage project expected to be completed over the next several years. The basic work on the island has already been completed, but the process of piling up its surface and building coastal infrastructure will continue for many more years, with full completion planned around 2034. The island is being protected from marine erosion by the construction of a stone band around its perimeter. Ultimately, the island’s height is expected to reach 2-3 meters above sea level. To date, approximately 1 million tons of sand dredged from the seabed and 140,000 tons of hydrotechnical stone delivered from Silesia have been used for the construction.

Does the Island Have Ecological Significance?

The project plans for the primary purpose of Aestian Island to be the creation of a new habitat for birds, in response to the need to minimize the impact on the natural environment caused by the construction of the Vistula Spit canal. The island is intended to become a safe haven for diverse fauna and flora.

Once the island is built and its shores are vegetated, conditions will arise in the transitional zone for nesting by species such as the great crested grebe and mute swan, which are protected. In the future, the island could also become a resting and feeding ground for waterfowl during migration, such as species like gadwall, northern shoveler, Eurasian wigeon, mallard, northern pintail, garganey, teal, and also for species of geese under protection, like the white-fronted goose and bean goose.

Controversies and Ecological Concerns

The creation of the island also raises many questions about the long-term ecological consequences during and after its construction. There are significant concerns regarding the impact of Aestian Island’s construction on the natural environment.

Key Threats Include:

1. Changes in the Ecosystem: The construction of the artificial island may lead to disruptions in natural water flows and habitats, which could negatively affect the area’s biodiversity.
2. Water Pollution: Earthworks and construction activities could increase the level of pollution in the Vistula Lagoon, including mechanical pollutants (sediments, silt) and chemical pollutants (substances from machinery and equipment).
3. Impact on Local Fauna: The disturbances caused by construction may negatively affect local bird species and other animals that use the Vistula Lagoon as a breeding or resting area.
4. Anthropogenic Pressure: The continuous presence of people and machinery on and around the island could lead to long-term changes in the ecosystem, which are difficult to reverse.

Considering these threats, the construction of the artificial island sparks discussions about balancing infrastructural development with environmental protection, emphasizing the need to consider both the economic and ecological impacts of such undertakings.

Regardless of these issues, this new point on the map of Poland is becoming a reality. What its real significance for nature will be, only time will tell.