The Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation −
A model for transnational cooperation in MSP and MSFD?
Christian Fischer, M.Sc., Institute for Coastal Research, Department Human Dimensions of Coastal Areas
Introduction
Method
The Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation (TWSC) was founded by Denmark,
The Netherlands and Germany in 1978. The aim of the cooperation is to
protect and conserve the Wadden Sea covering management, monitoring and
research as well as political matters [1]. During its existence important
benefits for the Wadden Sea have been achieved by TWSC [2,3].
In order to answer the central questions, three analytical steps were taken:
1. TWSC was analysed based on the Governance Baseline Method (GBM)
by Stephen Olsen [4]. GBM rests on the assumption that ecosystem
changes cause governance responses. Therefore, TWSC’s institutional
development has been reconstructed by document analysis (cf. Fig.).
2. The document-based results were checked and completed with four expert
interviews which enabled insight into the cooperation outside the
documents.
3. The third step outlined lessons for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
For this research the TWSC was analysed along two major questions:
 Which factors of cooperation played an important role in the evolution of
TWSC?
 Can TWSC be regarded as good example for transnational cooperation?
Key Events, Processes and Results of the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation
2002
Establishment
of Wadden Sea
Forum
1988
Seal protection
in focus
1982
Joint Declaration of
DK, D and NL for their
cooperation for the
protection of the
Wadden Sea
1978
Beginning of
cooperation between
DK, D and NL
1978
1 conference
in The Hague
st
2
nd
1980
conference
in Bonn
1983
3 conference
in Copenhagen
rd
1987
Establishment of
Common Wadden Sea
Secretariat (CWSS)
in Wilhemshaven
1985
4 conference
in The Hague
th
1991
Ecosystem Approach
becomes Guiding
Principle, common
action principles
1988
5 conference
in Bonn
1991
6 conference
in Esbjerg
th
th
1997
Trilateral
Wadden Sea Plan,
Decision for a
joint monitoring and
assessment programme
(TMAP)
1994
7 conference
in Leeuwarden
th
1997
8 conference
in Stade
th
2005
Further development of
Wadden Sea Plan,
Continuation of World
Heritage Nomination
2001
9 conference
in Esbjerg
th
2005
10 conference
Schiermonnik.
th
2010
Renewal of
Joint Declaration,
Policy Assessment Report,
new governance structures
2010
11 conference
on Sylt
th
2014
12 conference
th
Scientific research (ongoing)
Application World Heritage Site
1980
1970
1978-1987: self-organisation
1988-2000: substantial work
1991
Quality
Status
Report
Legend
2010
2000
1990
1993
Quality
Status
Report
Monitoring and Management
2000-now: enhancing established work
1997
Quality
Status
Report
2004
Quality
Status
Report
2009
Quality
Status
Report
Key Events
Conferences
Processes
1997
Wadden Sea Plan
Eras
Results
2009
Adoption of
Wadden Sea in
World Heritage
List
2010
Revised
Wadden Sea Plan
Results
Discussion and Recommendations
Important cooperation factors that influenced the transnational cooperation of
TWSC:
Transferability of the TWSC approach to other contexts such as MSP and
MSFD is conceivable but limited in practice. Other areas often have more
neighbouring countries and therefore more diverse interests. Due to greater
spatial variety there may be less spatial and emotional identity as in the
TWSC case.
For transferring the success of the TWSC to other contexts one suggestion is
to use existing conventions for Europe’s regional seas as nodes of
coordination. Within these conventions smaller groups could be built based
on common interests and spatial identity/similarity. An interesting question is
whether ecological regions coincide with regional identities.
Another suggestion is to start with non-statutory (non-governmental)
cooperation, e.g. BaltSeaPlan.






common interests (Joint Declaration 1982, 2010)
thematic limitation
small size of group
spatial and emotional identity with Wadden Sea area
responsible node of coordination (with long-time staff)
legally non-binding character (flexible solutions possible)
All the factors result in a successful cooperation of over 25 years.
References
[1] Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS) (n.d.): About the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation. Available at: http://www.waddensea-secretariat.org/trilat/brochure/brochure.html, accessed 8th May 2012.
[2] Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS) (2010): Sylt Declaration. Ministerial Council Declaration of the Eleventh Trilateral Governmental Conference on the Protection of the Wadden Sea. Available at: http://www.waddenseasecretariat.org/tgc/DocumentsSylt2010/Sylt-MD-complete-final-%2811-02-08%29-web.pdf, accessed 8th May 2012.
[3] Moser, M. & Brown, A. (2007): Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation – External Evaluation Report. Available at: http://www.waddenseasecretariat.org/news/
Evaluation/Wadden%20Sea%20Evaluation%20Report%20Final070621.pdf, accessed 16th May 2012.
[4] Olsen, S. B., Page, G. G. & Ochoa, E. (2009): The Analysis of Governance Responses to Ecosystem Change: A Handbook for Assembling a
Baseline. LOICZ Reports & Studies No. 34. Available at: http://www.loicz.org/imperia/md/content/loicz/print/rsreports/34_the_analysis_of_governance_
responses_to_ecosystem_change.pdf, accessed 8th May 2012.
Christian Fischer, M.Sc. (christian.fischer@hzg.de)
Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht | Max-Planck-Strasse 1 | 21502 Geesthacht
Phone: +49-(0)4152-87-2008 | Fax: +49-(0)4152-87-2818 | www.hzg.de