The core of the vision of a resilient and sustainable Wadden Sea region is the realisation of an ecosystem that is as natural as possible. The restoration of nature quality is not an automatic process and requires both knowledge development and active, innovative pilots (‘learning by doing’). These pilots will focus on improving the quality of nature, boosting sustainability of human activity and helping to reintroduce important species that have disappeared from the region (and subsequently learning from this). Examples include the reintroduction of flat oysters; experiments with natural hard substrates and phasing out of seabed disturbance in gullies and sublittoral tidal flats; protection of heritage-listed shipwrecks using natural materials; and leaving cadavers of large sea mammals in locations of significant importance to nature and/or human experience. To the greatest possible extent, these and other future pilots will be developed and executed in conjunction with the aforementioned research projects and in collaboration with administrative bodies and users.
Role of the PRW:
Results to be delivered:
- At least three innovative pilots will have been set up in 2022 focusing on improving the quality of nature, boosting the sustainability of human activity and reintroducing important species that have disappeared from the area.
Commissioning parties:
- Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
- Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management
- Provinces in the Wadden Sea region: North Holland, Friesland and Groningen
- Natural Wadden Coalition
Follow-up action by:
- Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management
