Archief Subjects - Programma naar een Rijke Waddenzee

1. Climate change

Joris van Montfort — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 10:32:50 +0000

Climate change is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the Wadden Sea and the land around it.

Despite the current sea level rise (approximately 20 cm per century), the Wadden Sea has been getting shallower for almost a century. This process may continue in the coming decades. However, if the sea level rises too fast, uncovered mudflats will become submerged and flood defences will be jeopardised.

In addition, the seawater temperature will rise and the water will become increasingly acidic, which will probably have major consequences for the ecosystem.

Because of the increasing air temperature, there is a threat of land desiccation, especially in summer, resulting in increased salinisation and problems for agriculture.

As shown above, climate change has a multitude of effects throughout the Wadden Sea region: on ecology, water safety and human joint use. It is important to map out the most likely scenarios, choose the most important focus areas and then plan measures together with managers, policymakers, residents and users.

Activity/project:

Het bericht 1. Climate change verscheen eerst op Programma naar een Rijke Waddenzee.

2. Natural dynamic

Joris van Montfort — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:28:43 +0000

This theme includes various activities/projects (‘nature-based solutions’) proposed by the commissioning parties: a recovery project to raise awareness of the natural dynamics of island spits, the approach to and pilots of mudflats, a set of measures to reduce the impact of seabed-disturbing activities, a feasibility study and pilots on the use of Wadden Sea silt and the development of a strategy for the sustainable and efficient maintenance of marinas.

Activities and projects:

Het bericht 2. Natural dynamic verscheen eerst op Programma naar een Rijke Waddenzee.

3. Underwater nature

Joris van Montfort — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:10:44 +0000

Broadly speaking, the existing management and policy with regard to this area is aimed at visible and appreciated natural values: those of uncovered mudflats and species such as birds, seals, shellfish and eelgrass. These are therefore the most important target species designated under Natura 2000. As a result, the improvements made in recent decades can be found mainly in this habitat type and these groups of species. The protection of life under water is still catching up.

Activities, particularly in the area of the ‘swimways’ of migratory fish, have increased and intensified the attention paid to the values of life under water. The important ecological role of shellfish banks has been recognised for some time and efforts are being made to improve their protection through fishing agreements. However, other aspects of life under water are still underexposed. This mainly concerns organisms such as algae, zooplankton, bacteria and species hidden in the sediment of channels: commercially less important shellfish, fish, rays and sharks. These form an important part of the foundation of the ecosystem and therefore also influence the success of species of which we are proud.

The above-mentioned fundamental but still largely unknown groups of species and their relationship with the better known and already protected groups of species (such as shellfish, birds, seals etc.) require further attention. Interactions with the physical (abiotic) part of the ecosystem also need to be better understood. Getting a better grip on the perspective for policy and management action is of paramount importance, also in a trilateral context.

Activities and projects:

Het bericht 3. Underwater nature verscheen eerst op Programma naar een Rijke Waddenzee.

4. Birds

Joris van Montfort — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:30:41 +0000

The PRW activities/projects proposed by the commissioning parties consist of flyway monitoring and achieving the safest and most resilient Wadden Sea for birds.

Activities and projects:

Het bericht 4. Birds verscheen eerst op Programma naar een Rijke Waddenzee.

5. Fishing

Joris van Montfort — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:32:04 +0000

Many of the measures have already been implemented for shellfish fishing (cockles, mussels, oysters). Shrimp fishermen in particular will have a major task ahead of them in the years to come.

At the same time, the other fishing sectors, such as cockle fishing and fixed-gear fishing, are still demanding attention because of the impact they can still have on nature. An exploratory study will be carried out into whether and how a covenant can be reached with fixed-gear fishermen. Furthermore, the transition of the mussel sector has not yet been completed. A commitment to the realisation of the fishing covenants and agreements therefore remains indispensable. An economically vital fishing sector is seen as an inseparable part of a healthy Wadden Sea region. This is a fishing sector that ensures sufficient shellfish stocks, healthy seabed structures, undisturbed areas and a healthy fish and shrimp stock.

Activities and projects:

Het bericht 5. Fishing verscheen eerst op Programma naar een Rijke Waddenzee.

6. Accessibility and mobility

Joris van Montfort — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:32:30 +0000

The bed of the Wadden Sea has risen in spite of the rising sea level and is still doing so. Partly because of this, we are dealing with increasing quantities of silt and a changing tidal current, which in turn affect the depth and width of shipping channels. In time, the area is likely to experience accelerated sea level rise, which will create new challenges. In addition, new sustainable requirements will be imposed on the way we organise the transport chain and ports and on the way we travel. The commissioning parties and stakeholders will address these accessibility and mobility issues with the help of the PRW.

Activities and projects:

Het bericht 6. Accessibility and mobility verscheen eerst op Programma naar een Rijke Waddenzee.

7. Edges of the Wadden

Joris van Montfort — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:32:19 +0000

It is a fact that the Netherlands must be protected. However, the way in which this was done in the past has led to the coastline manifesting itself as a hard dividing line between land and sea. The commissioning parties’ ambition is to reconnect the Wadden Sea coast and islands ecologically and socio-economically. To this end, they commission the PRW to challenge and drive projects whereby functions such as nature, water safety, agriculture and experience go hand in hand as much as possible and there is room for experimentation, pilots and innovative ideas.

Activities and projects:

Het bericht 7. Edges of the Wadden verscheen eerst op Programma naar een Rijke Waddenzee.

8. Strengthening core values world heritage

Joris van Montfort — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:32:41 +0000

Partly because of this, the flow of tourists to the Wadden Sea area has also increased, as have the associated opportunities and challenges. In addition to protection and development, a World Heritage Site also requires the strengthening of its core values for the benefit of nature and the economy. The commissioning parties, stakeholders and users in the Wadden Sea region want to contribute to a World Heritage-worthy region in everything they do in the area, and it is up to the PRW to challenge them to do so.

Activities and projects:

Het bericht 8. Strengthening core values world heritage verscheen eerst op Programma naar een Rijke Waddenzee.