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On expedition to the Wadden Coast
For centuries, the Wadden Sea region has been a beautiful area of inestimable value. With soft edges, old cities, harbours and industry, good agricultural land and rich nature. But also with hard dams and dikes for water safety. The consequences of climate change threaten the area. This threat will increase in the coming years. That is why measures are already being taken at various places along the Wadden coast. We make this visible with Expedition Wadden Coast.
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First results 2020 Flyway Count
In January 2020 the third Total Count of the East Atlantic Flyway was organized. All waterbirds wintering along the coast from Norway till South Africa were counted. This collaboration and simultaneous count is of upmost importance to gain insight into the trends of the various bird populations using the Flyway.
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Knowledge necessary for improving the Wadden Sea fish stock
Fish species use the Wadden region in various ways. Some fish grow on it and then leave. Others stay there all their lives. There are also fish species that reproduce in the fresh water (mainland) and later migrate to the Ocean or the North Sea via the Wadden Sea. And sometimes the other way around. We are working on removing obstacles to these migratory fish along the entire Wadden coast. And on solutions to make fish migration possible. In this way we contribute to the recovery of the fish stock in the Wadden Sea.
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Recent reports
Pillars and subjects
Pillar 1
Nature improvement towards a resilient ecosystem
This subject concerns the physical (abiotic) part of the ecosystem. The Wadden Sea is constantly changing and adapting to changes caused by climate and human intervention from the past and present.
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1. Climate change
In the long term, climate change will play an even greater role in terms of ecology, water safety and shared human use, both in the Wadden Sea itself and in the surrounding region. As a first step, we will catalogue the most likely scenarios and key points for attention before scheduling the necessary measures, in consultation with all parties involved.
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2. Natural dynamic
Natural dynamic processes in the Wadden Sea should be stimulated, restored or strengthened as much as possible. We can achieve this by removing or reducing erected barriers or influences.
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3. Underwater nature
Broadly speaking, the existing management and policy with regard to this area is aimed at visible and appreciated natural values. The protection of life under water is still catching up.
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4. Birds
For birds, the Wadden Sea is an important link in the habitat that stretches from the wintering grounds along Africa’s west coast to the breeding areas in Siberia.
The PRW activities/projects proposed by the commissioning parties consist of flyway monitoring and achieving the safest and most resilient Wadden Sea for birds.
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Pillar 2
Transitions to sustainable (economic) shared use
The activities/projects in this pillar have been put forward by the commissioning parties and contribute to the transitions towards sustainable (economic) co-use. Within this pillar, the program works on the following themes:
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5. Fishing
As the linking pin between parties, the PRW will continue to serve as the independent secretariat for the various fishing agreements. It will continue to monitor the pursuit of the agreed objectives and drive innovation where necessary. To achieve fully sustainable shared use (including economic shared use), we need to move a step further.
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6. Accessibility and mobility
Given the morphological developments in the Wadden Sea, it is relevant to examine whether making the current transport system more sustainable will lead to sustainable and reliable access to the Wadden Islands and the Wadden Sea ports in the long term as well.
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7. Edges of the Wadden
Our ambition is to restore the former ecological, social and economic connections between the Wadden Sea coast and the islands and to establish new ones, while striving for the maximum possible synergy between nature, water safety, agriculture and visitor experience and leaving room to experiment with pilot projects and ideas.
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8. Strengthening core values world heritage
In addition to protection and development, a World Heritage Site requires a strengthening of core values with respect to both nature and the economy. Commissioning parties, other interest groups and users of the Wadden Sea region all want to contribute to making the region worthy of its World Heritage Site designation in everything they do. To this end, they are looking towards the PRW for guidance.
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programme Roles
PRW (the Programme towards a Rich Wadden Sea) helps government bodies, civil-society organisations, residents and users to gain clear insight into our 2050 vision for the Wadden Sea. In order to do this, PRW plays four roles – Challenge, Encourage, Develop and Connect – with a focus on boosting ecological value and sustainable shared use.
Vision 2050: a bright future for the Wadden Sea region
PRW (the Programme towards a Rich Wadden Sea) is working to ensure resilient ecology and a sustainable economy in the Wadden Sea region. By focusing on the region and working alongside the various parties concerned, PRW’s mission is to instigate transitions based on four key roles: Challenge, Encourage, Develop and Connect. Together with all parties involved, we are striving towards a healthy Wadden Sea for people and the ecosystem!