I0x result!
In the past two years the nature restoration Programme Towards a Rich Wadden Sea (PRW)
has achieved a number of results. We have put ten of them in this overview.
1. Agreement on manual cockle fishery
An agreement on the hand-raking of cockles has been reached under the Programme’s
guidance, leading to new policy and a sustainable fishery. The numbers of cockles appear to be
growing in the Wadden Sea and the fisherman can make a decent living.
2. Sustainable Mussel- and shrimp fisheries
The traditional bottom-dredging fishery for seed mussels is gradually being replaced by
another method for mussel seed capture - floating rope constructions. PRW guides the
negotiations necessary for this transition towards sustainability. For shrimp fisheries PRW acts
as a mediator to reach an agreement on measures to improve ecological and economic issues.
3. Fish migration river Afsluitdijk
The fish migration river is a breathtaking plan to develop a passageway through the Afsluitdijk
for fish to help them swim from the Wadden Sea to Lake IJssel (and vice versa). It will
improve fish stocks, whilst the fresh water function of Lake IJssel remains untouched.
4. Chances for combining nature restoration and coastal defence
PRW is looking at chances to enhance our coastal defence in a way that benefits nature
restoration. On Ameland a salt marsh (Feugelpolle) protects the hinterland from flooding and
provides a shelter for birds. On Texel a new type of dike has been developed, constructed out
of sand and strengthened by natural artefacts. At the River Ems we are developing a Green
Dike similar to German example.
5. Improving our knowledge of the Ems-Dollard Estuary
PRW has collated the existing knowledge about the Ems-Estuary into a new document. This
document is an important building stone for the development of measures, and for a recent
letter of intent which aims to develop a balance between nature and economics. Besides
knowledge, the cooperation between Germany and The Netherlands will be a key factor for
success.
6. Preserving harmony – the Pact of Rede
Alone with your boat on a tidal flat in the middle of the Wadden Sea is an unforgettable
experience. However, the presence of man can disturb nature. Under the guidance of PRW,
tourist and nature organisations have developed a joint approach to preserve harmony; the
Pact of Rede.
7. Flyway
Millions of birds migrate from the Artic to Africa every year. The Wadden Sea is a crucial site
on the East-Atlantic Flyway. PRW has developed a monitoring system and organised special
bird counts, as a part of the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative. This way, conservation capacity,
knowledge and awareness is increased. At the 12th Wadden Sea Conference a Flyway Vision is
signed to stress the importance of working together.
8. Invasive species
To preserve the unique nature of the Wadden Sea PRW assisted in developing a trilateral
strategy to prevent invasive species from entering the area. At the 12 th Wadden Sea
Conference the main framework of this strategy is further developed. PRW supported the
ministry of EZ for a LIFE+ project to develop a plan for implementation.
9. Tidal basins
PRW has supported investigations into the relevance of the tidal basin approach for Wadden
Sea policy and management. It has become clear that in many cases tidal basins are a useful
scale for Wadden Sea policy and management and for comparative research into the impacts
of human activities compared to natural changes.
10. Ecological timetable for fighting an oil spill
An oil spill in the UNESCO’s World Heritage site Wadden Sea could have catastrophic
consequences. Because of the high number of salt marshes and shallow tidal flats, the Wadden
Sea needs a special rescue plan. With help of PRW this plan has been developed, so everybody
knows what to do should disaster strike.
PRW’s mission
- accelerate, collate en give direction to existing initiatives aimed at a rich Wadden Sea
- develop new projects and measures to give nature restoration a new impulse
- facilitate coalitions aimed at promising nature restoration developments in combination
with sustainable use of the region
- explore and implement chances for the financing of projects
The ideal scenario of a rich Wadden Sea in 2030:
1. food web in balance
2. large-scale presence of ecosystem engineers such as eelgrass fields and mussel banks
3. sufficient clean and clear water
4. the Wadden Sea is a safe haven for residents and visitors (coastal defense)
5. optimal embedding in the international chain of wetlands