ASSESSMENT REPORT (Part II)
The State of the Wadden Sea and the Implementation of the Esbjerg
Declaration
The 7th Trilateral Governmental Conference of the Wadden Sea
Leeuwarden, November 30, 1994
|
Table of Contents:
Part I:
1 Introduction
2 Status of the Wadden Sea Ecosystem
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Pollution
2.3 Disturbance
2.4 Habitat changes and destruction
2.5 Combined effects
2.6 Status of important species
Part II:
3 Status of the Implementation of the Esbjerg Declaration
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Common principles
3.3 Common objectives
4 Conclusions
4.1 Assessment of the ecological state of the Wadden Sea
4.2 Progress in the implementation of the Esbjerg Declaration
ASSESSMENT REPORT
Part II:
Chapter 3 and 4
.
3 STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ESBJERG DECLARATION
3.1 Introduction
As indicated in the introduction, the Esbjerg Declaration entails
common principles which include a guiding principle and a specification
of these principles in terms of management, and common objectives
which entail agreements on the most important human activities
in the area, and agreements on initiatives in international fora.
In the following, an overview is given on the implementation
of these principles and objectives by the countries.
3.2 Common principles
The guiding principle of the trilateral Wadden Sea policy is
to achieve, as far as possible, a natural and sustainable ecosystem
in which natural processes proceed in an undisturbed way.
This principle aims at
(i)maintaining the water movements and the attendant geomorphological
and pedological processes;
(ii)improving the quality of water, sediment and air to levels
that are not harmful for the ecosystem;
(iii)safeguarding and optimizing the conditions for flora and
fauna including
-preservation of the Wadden Sea as a nursery area for North Sea
fish;
-conservation of the feeding, breeding, moulting and roosting
areas of birds, and the birth and resting areas of seals as well
as the prevention of disturbance in these areas;-
conservation of the salt marshes and dunes;
(iv)maintaining the scenic qualities of the landscape, in particular
the variety of landscape types and the specific features of the
wide, open scenery including the perception of nature and landscape.
The Guiding Principle has been implemented in all three countries
and was the starting point for the elaboration of the Ecotargets.
The common policies as laid down in the Joint Declaration
on the Protection of the Wadden Sea from 1982, will be further
implemented based on:
(i)the Principle of Careful Decision Making, i.e. to take
decisions on the basis of the best available information;
(ii)the Principle of Avoidance, i.e. activities which
are potentially damaging to the Wadden Sea should be avoided;
(iii)the Precautionary Principle, i.e. to take action
to avoid activities which are assumed to have significant damaging
impact on the environment, even where there is no sufficient
scientific evidence to prove a causal link between activities
and their impact;
(iv)the Principle of Translocation, i.e. to translocate
activities which are harmful to the Wadden Sea environment to
areas where they will cause less environmental impact;
(v)the Principle of Compensation, i.e. that the harmful
effect of activities which cannot be avoided, must be balanced
by compensatory measures; in those parts of the Wadden Sea where
the Principle has not yet been implemented compensatory measures
will be aimed for;
(vi)the Principle of Restoration, i.e. that, where possible,
parts of the Wadden Sea should be restored if it can be demonstrated
by reference studies that the actual situation is not optimal,
and that the original state is likely to be re-established;
(vii)the Principles of Best Available Technology and Best
Environmental Practice, as defined by the Paris Commission.
The common principles are applied in the national decision making
process in Germany and Denmark. In The Netherlands, the principles
guided the formulation of policy statements in the PKB. The principles
will also be applied in The Netherlands to take decisions on
new activities or the modification of existing activities.
The participants agree to address a set of common ecological
targets and a comprehensive set of measures to achieve these
targets at the 7th Trilateral Governmental Conference.
An ad-hoc trilateral working group, the Ecotarget Group (ETG),
developed proposals for common ecological targets. In line with
the Guiding Principle, the proposed targets aim at increasing
the dynamics and the naturalness of the processes in the Wadden
Sea ecosystem. The targets are a starting point for the common
management strategy.
The participants agree to undertake the necessary steps to establish
a coherent special conservation area covered by a coordinated
management plan for the Wadden Sea, stretching from Esbjerg to
Den Helder, taking into account especially the requirements of
the EC Bird Directive 79/409/EC, the forthcoming Habitat Directive
and the Ramsar Convention.
The ad-hoc trilateral Habitat Working Group, worked out a proposal
for the designation of the Coherent Special Conservation Area
(CSCA) under the EC Habitat Directive. The group made an inventory
of habitats and developed a proposal for the delimitation of
the CSCA on the basis of ecological features of the Wadden Sea.
The ad-hoc trilateral Management Working Group elaborated starting
points for the coordinated management plan.
3.3 Common objectives
The participants underline that the main aim of the trilateral
cooperation is the protection of the Wadden Sea as a nature area.
The participants are conscious that the Wadden Sea area is an
area where people live, work and recreate and that in this respect
there is a need for a common strategy for the human use of the
area, based upon the above principles.
They therefore agree:
SEA DEFENCE, SALT MARSH MANAGEMENT AND DUNE PROTECTION
To further harmonize the interests of nature protection and sea
defence measures, taking into account that the safety of the
inhabitants is essential and to this end
to prohibit, in principle, embankment and to minimize unavoidable
loss of biotopes by sea defence measures;
In The Netherlands, this paragraph has been implemented in the
Dutch Key Planning Note (PKB). Concessions for reclamation will
not be issued. Small scale modifications are not excluded.
In Germany, the paragraph has been implemented by the Federal
Nature Conservation Act through the Nature Conservation Laws
of Niedersachsen and Schleswig-Holstein and the National Park
Law of Hamburg.
In Denmark, the decision has been implemented by the Statutory
Order on Nature and Wildlife Reserves, the Nature Protection
Act and the Planning Act.
to adequately protect salt marshes and dunes in order to allow
natural processes to take place within these habitats, with special
emphasis on flora and fauna; In The Netherlands, nature management
aims at achieving a natural ecosystem with as little human intervention
as possible. For the maintenance of salt marshes and sand dikes,
exceptions are made.
In Germany, the protection of salt marshes and dunes is provided
for in the Nature Conservation Laws of Schleswig-Holstein and
Lower Saxony and the National Park Law of Hamburg.
In Denmark, protection of salt marshes and dunes is provided
for in the Nature Protection Act.
to aim for the restoration of salt marshes by opening summer
dikes, provided that it fits into the ecological target of the
region;
In The Netherlands, plans for the opening of summer dikes have
been developed. It is the aim of policy to extend the salt marsh
area west of Holwerd.
In Lower Saxony, the implementation is planned in the National
Park Ordinance. In Hamburg, plans for the island Neuwerk are
in preparation. In Schleswig-Holstein, there is no intention
to open summer dikes, because the only existing summer dikes
protect the halligen.
In Denmark, there are no summer dikes.
to apply best environmental practice in salt marsh and dune protection
and development;
In The Netherlands, conservation and an eventual expansion of
salt marshes will be carried out according to best environmental
practice. The Netherlands have carried out offshore sand suppletion
pilot projects for the protection of the island dunes. The sand
dikes on the islands will be maintained in an extensive way with
the aim of protecting the island salt marshes.
In Germany, the protection of salt marshes and dunes is provided
for in the Nature Conservation Acts of Schleswig-Holstein and
Lower Saxony and the National Park Act of Hamburg. Furthermore,
according to the federal Nature Protection Act and the corresponding
federal acts, any impact on salt marshes and dunes is forbidden.
In Denmark, natural processes in the salt marshes, outside the
security zone of 250-300 m, will not be interrupted. The grazing
regime is presently under discussion.
to stop the application of fertilizers and pesticides and other
toxic substances on the salt marshes.
In The Netherlands, this paragraph has been implemented in the
state-owned salt marshes and the salt marshes, managed by nature
conservation bodies.
Germany: in Lower Saxony, this paragraph has been implemented
in 90% of the national park area (state-owned salt marshes).
In Hamburg, the application of fertilizers and toxic substances
is prohibited by the National Park Act. In the Schleswig-Holstein
National Park, no such substances are being or have been used.
In Denmark on the natural forelands and the forelands beyond
a 100-m zone from the dikes, no fertilizers and toxic substances
are used.
HARBOR AND INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
To avoid new, not yet approved plans for the extension or major
modifications of harbor and industrial facilities immediately
adjacent to the Wadden Sea. In principle such measures should
only be allowed to take place at inland sites and under strict
environmental conditions according to applicable law.
In The Netherlands, the agreed policy was implemented in the
Wadden Sea Memorandum. Industrial facilities may be extended
on the following conditions:-
they must comply with national environmental criteria;
- they must be constructed in such a way that in case of calamities
the damage to the Wadden Sea is not irrevocable.
In Germany, the extension of existing harbors within or directly
adjacent to the national parks are prohibited. Plans exist to
construct a new harbor at Rysumer Nacken in the Ems-Dollart,
which is outside the Niedersachsen Wadden Sea National Park,
to partly supersede the Emden harbor. Currently, based on an
environmental impact assessment, three alternatives are in a
physical planning procedure two of which are located in the estuary
itself.
In Denmark, plans for the extension of the Esbjerg harbor were
approved prior to the Esbjerg Conference.
SHIPPING
To increase their efforts towards the elimination of operational
pollution and the minimization of accidental discharges by
the establishment of a system to provide information concerning
vessels carrying hazardous substances;
The Netherlands will introduce a 'ships reporting and tracking
system for the Dutch Wadden Sea' and complete the Wadden Sea
Traffic Information System by 1995.
Germany reports that the EU Council of Transport Ministers adopted
a reporting obligation for vessels carrying hazardous goods,
which enter European harbors and which will be effective as of
September 1995.
In Denmark, the obligations ensuing from this objective are regarded
as being fulfilled with the implementation of relevant EU regulations.
reducing the incineration of ships operational garbage and enforcing
disposal on the shore;
The Netherlands report that this subject is in discussion within
the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in relation to
the negotiations on the Air Pollution Annex to the Marpol Convention.
The Netherlands hold the position that incineration of ships'
operational garbage is the second-best option, provided that
it is strictly regulated.
Germany supports the ongoing work within the IMO to include the
prohibition of incineration of ships generated wastes inside
ports and in territorial waters. This provision will be part
of the new Annex of the Marpol Convention on the prevention of
air pollution by ships, which is now in preparation.
Denmark has, in cooperation with other Baltic states, made a
proposal to the IMO to forbid the incineration of ships' operational
garbage in harbors and territorial waters.
making available adequate facilities for the reception of harmful
wastes and garbage from ships in the Wadden Sea ports at reasonable
costs or without charging the individual ship, ensuring that
the best environmental objectives are met and that high standards
of service are performed;
In the Dutch Wadden Sea Memorandum, it is indicated that there
shall be sufficient and adequate facilities for the reception
of harmful wastes and garbage from ships in the legally designated
Wadden Sea harbors.
In an extensive project, the free-of-charge reception of Marpol-Annex-I
substances was made possible in German ports over the period
1988-1991. During this period, sufficient reception facilities
have been established to meet the needs of ships.
Germany proposes to the 4th North Sea Conference to agree on
a harmonized fee system applicable to reception facilities within
the ports of the North Sea states.
In Denmark, this paragraph is covered by existing Danish regulations.
imposing speed limits within the Wadden Sea where such are deemed
necessary by the authorities responsible, taking safety and environmental
factors into account;
In The Netherlands, a speed limit of 20 km/h will be imposed
on recreational boats outside the designated shipping lanes.
In the framework of the German National Park Shipping Regulation,
a speed limit of 8 knots (15 km/h) for the zones 1 of the national
parks, outside the designated shipping routes, has been fixed.
Further provisions are currently discussed in parliament.
In the Danish Wadden Sea, a speed limit of 10 knots (18.5 km/h)
is applicable outside designated shipping lanes.
prohibiting hovercraft within the Wadden Sea; this item will
be discussed again at the next Wadden Sea Governmental Conference;
In all three countries the use of hovercraft is prohibited to
the same extent, which means that hovercraft are only allowed
in the main shipping lanes.
welcoming the initiative of The Netherlands within the IMO, which
aims at adequate measures to minimize the detrimental effects
of lipophilic substances as soon as possible, recognizing the
harmful effects these substances have on sea- and coastal birds.
The Netherlands report that within the IMO there was no support
for a binding regulation on the discharge of lipophilic substances.
However, the IMO has adopted a circulaire (MEPC/circ. 274 14
June 1994) which issues recommendations to reduce the problem
of detrimental effects of lipophilic substances.
DREDGING ACTIVITIES
To welcome the "Guidelines for the Management of dredged
material", which have been adopted by the Oslo Commission
in its meeting in June 1991 and to fully implement these guidelines
in the Wadden Sea and to this end
to cooperate in developing national criteria with regard to dredging
operations and disposal of dredged material in accordance with
these guidelines;
to consider the need to harmonize these sets of criteria if differences
based on natural variations in sediment quality arise.
In all three countries, the guidelines have been elaborated nationally.
An informal agreement to exchange information has been made between
national representatives in the SACSA.
ENERGY RESOURCES
Exploration and exploitation of oil and gas
To limit those offshore activities that have an adverse impact
on the Wadden Sea environment and to this end
to aim at avoiding the construction of new installations until
1994 and to allow for exemptions only where energy supply interests
prevail over adverse environmental impacts; with regard to existing
rights and concessions the participants will strive and appeal
energetically to the companies to refrain from exerting these
rights (moratorium);
to evaluate this approach at the next Governmental Wadden Sea
Conference;
The moratorium for gas drilling in the Dutch Wadden Sea within
the area defined under the Wadden Sea Memorandum expired in January
1994. An agreement has been made between the concessionaires
and the Dutch cabinet that exploitation of gas resources within
the Memorandum area will only be undertaken from sites outside
the Memorandum Area. Permission for exploration drilling will
be granted within the Memorandum Area if it can be documented
by the companies that exploitation from outside the area, the
mainland and the off-shore zone, is possible. The concessionaires
indicated a total of 21 prospects, 11 of which are located within
the area. It has been estimated that two of these prospects south
of the island of Terschelling cannot be exploited from outside
the area and three will be exploited from the existing installation
at Zuidwal.
The agreement is entailed in a partial revision of the Wadden
Sea Memorandum, which entered into force in 1994.
Following the above decision, an agreement was made between the
Lower Saxon Government and the concessionaire to carry out exploration
drilling for gas outside the boundaries of the Lower Saxon National
Park in the German part of the Ems-estuary. The exploration drilling
have been carried out unsuccessfully in 1992-93.
The existing installation at Mittelplate in the Schleswig-Holstein
Wadden Sea, which was operating in a pilot exploitation phase
until 1993, has been granted permission for exploitation until
2011. Several drillings have been carried out from this installation.
The concessionaires do not plan exploration and exploitation
activities within the boundaries of the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea
National Park. The exploration and exploitation of oil and gas
is prohibited in the Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park.
The exploration and exploitation of gas and oil is prohibited
in the Danish Wadden Sea Nature Reserve. The offshore boundary
is 3 sea miles, however, no exploration and exploitation has
taken place or is planned within the 12 sea mile zone
to apply zero-discharges immediately or at the latest whenever
existing exploration and exploitation rights are to be renewed;
Zero-discharges are applied at all installations in the Dutch
and German Wadden Sea with the exception of the installation
at Mittelplate in Schleswig-Holstein, where a discharge of rain
and drainage water below 10 ppm oil substance is allowed after
the granting of the permanent permission for exploitation until
2011.
The exploration and exploitation of oil and gas is forbidden
in the Danish Wadden Sea.
to make the exploration and exploitation of energy resources
in the adjacent areas of the North Sea up to 12 nautical miles
offshore in principle subject to zero-discharges into the sea
of oil contaminated cuttings and to use the best practicable
means of cleaning of other contaminated cuttings and substances;
In The Netherlands, the discharge of oil contaminated cuttings
is forbidden since 1-1-93. Preparations are under way for an
agreement between the Dutch government and the industry, which
inter alia includes measures for the reuse of chemicals
and the substitution of the application of hazardous substances
by non-hazardous substances.
In the relevant German and Danish areas, there are no installations.
to avoid in principle the construction of new pipelines and the
planning of new location lines, unless already approved, and
to allow exemptions only if they can be justified by considerable
environmental and energy supply interests in consideration of
the common good;
According to the Wadden Sea Memorandum, the construction of pipelines
in the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea for the supply of gas and
oil shall not be issued unless (inter)national interests prevail.
The construction of new public utility pipelines shall be kept
to a minimum.
The Europipe gas pipeline is under construction through the Lower
Saxon National Park. The construction of the gas pipeline has
been allowed at high additional costs as an exemption from the
National Park Ordinance in accordance with the exemption indicated
in the paragraph.
Since the approval of the Esbjerg Declaration, neither have there
plans been approved for the construction of pipelines , nor do
actual plans exist in Denmark to do so.
to only carry out seismic investigations in the Wadden Sea using
the best available methods and at such times so as to ensure
a minimal disturbance of fish, birds and seals.
Seismic investigations in the conceded area of the Dutch part
of the Wadden Sea adhere to the provisions indicated in the agreement
mentioned under 10.1/10.2. Seismic investigations in the non-conceded
areas shall be considered after a voluntary eia.
Since the responsible authorities in Schleswig-Holstein have
indicated that no further permissions for exploration and exploitation
will be granted within the Wadden Sea National Park, permissions
for seismic investigations are hence also not considered. In
the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park, exemptions can be granted
on the basis of the Ordinance and the State Nature Conservation
Act.
Seismic investigations are not allowed in the Danish Nature and
Wildlife Reserve Wadden Sea.
Wind energy
To acknowledge the basically positive contribution of wind energy
with regard to the environment and nature conservation, and also
acknowledge the conservation of birds and the scenic quality
of the landscape when generating wind energy and to this end
to prohibit the construction of wind turbines in the Wadden Sea
seaward of the seawalls and the coastline;
The construction of wind turbines will not be allowed in the
Dutch Wadden Sea Memorandum Area.
In the Lower Saxon National Park, the construction of wind turbines
is prohibited, but exemptions are possible, for example on the
islands.
The construction of wind turbines are not allowed in the Hamburg
and the Schleswig-Holstein national parks.
The construction of wind turbines is prohibited in the Danish
Nature and Wildlife Reserve Wadden Sea.
to take into particular consideration the maintenance and protection
of the Wadden Sea's overall character regarding ecology and scenic
quality, in the framework of individual assessments, when wind
energy installations are constructed on the islands and in a
zone adjacent to the Wadden Sea.
In all areas of the Wadden Sea, on the islands and the mainland,
policies are in force concerning the construction of wind turbines
and wind turbine parks, taking into consideration the ecological
conditions and the landscape values. There are, however, substantial
differences in the way of how such a policy has been implemented.
In the draft policy plan of the Dutch Wadden Sea provinces, the
construction of wind turbines up to 1 km seaward from the barrier
islands is forbidden.
EXTRACTION OF SAND AND CLAY
To minimize the impact of the extraction of sand and clay in
the Wadden Sea in order to meet the aims of undisturbed sedimentation
processes, and to this end
to limit the extraction of sand to the dredging and maintenance
of shipping lanes or for sea defence purposes, preferably combining
these two activities, or to take measures aiming at such a situation
in considerable parts of the Wadden Sea;
Extraction of sand for commercial use on a limited scale is currently
only undertaken in the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea and, in Lower
Saxony, in the outer Jade and the outer Weser. Investigations
in The Netherlands will be initiated to explore whether it is
possible to limit the extraction to dredging and maintenance
of shipping lanes and sea defence purposes only.
to only use sand from the North Sea for the supplementation of
sand lost from the coasts of the barrier islands;
This objective is implemented, where appropriate, for all barrier
islands. In The Netherlands, it is not allowed to extract sand
from the sea inlets between the islands.
to allow the small scale extraction of clay for sea-defence measures
in cases of urgent and sudden need only in cases where no other
deposits are available behind the dikes.
The objective has been implemented in all parts of the Wadden
Sea or corresponds with current practice.
FISHERIES
Cockle fishery
To be aware of the negative ecological effects caused by the
cockle fishery, that cockle fishery will be ended in the German
part of the Wadden Sea by 01.03.92, and that cockle fishery in
Denmark will only be carried out in quite specific, well-defined
areas.
Cockle fisheries are forbidden in the national park areas of
the German Wadden Sea as of 1 March 1992.
In the Danish Wadden Sea, three small areas in the Grådyb
may be fished on a one-area-per-year basis. Within each area,
fishing is only permitted during one season (1-31 August and
1 November-1 March) out of four successive seasons. Every season,
a maximum fishing quota will be fixed for the designated area.
To limit or reduce the negative ecological effects of cockle
fishery in the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea by
closing permanently considerable parts including intertidal and
subtidal areas;
Starting in 1993, 26% of the tidal flats, inclusive the interjacent
gullies, have been closed for cockle fisheries. Cockle fisheries
will be further restricted when food shortages for birds become
apparent. In 1998, it will be decided whether a further extension
of the closed area is necessary.
taking appropriate technical and management measures.
The number of licenses for mechanical fisheries will not be increased.
The number of licenses for manual collection will be reduced
by not renewing existing licenses. The manual collection for
private consumption is limited to 10 kg per person per day. In
years with food shortages for birds, 60 % of the available stock
will be reserved for the birds. These measures have also been
laid down in a management plan, drawn up by the shellfish fisheries
sector itself. The sector will also try to reduce the fishing
effort by reducing the number of vessels and by imposing a maximum
allowable engine capacity. Areas with less than 1 year old cockles
will be avoided. In addition, four areas have been selected where
the development of natural mussel beds can be expected and where
cockle fishing will not take place.
Mussel fishery
To limit the negative ecological impact of mussel fishery on
the Wadden Sea environment and to this end
to close considerable parts of the Wadden Sea, including intertidal
and subtidal areas.
Starting in 1993, 26% of the tidal flats of the Dutch Wadden
Sea, inclusive the interjacent gullies, have been closed for
mussel seed fisheries. In years with food shortages for birds,
60 % of the available stock will be reserved for the birds. In
1998, it will be decided whether a further extension of the closed
area is necessary. In the management plan, drawn up and carried
out by the shellfish fishery sector, a seed mussel quota system
has been agreed. The sector will make an effort to achieve its
annual production figure with as little seed mussels as possible.
Furthermore, natural mussel beds will be given a chance to develop.
In the Lower Saxon National Park, some small fishery-free areas
have been designated in the framework of the National Park Ordinance.
In addition a large area between Weser and Ems is mussel fishery
free according to an administrative agreement.
Mussel fishery is forbidden in the Hamburg National Park.
In Schleswig-Holstein, restrictions are set to licenses and areas.
A relocation of mussel culture plots to areas outside zone 1
of the National Park is envisaged for 1994/95. A concept for
mussel culture and fishery is under development.
Mussel fishery in the Danish Wadden Sea is forbidden in some
50% of the tidal area east of the islands. In addition, a minimum
marketable size of 5 cm has been set for tidal flat mussels.
Fin-fish fisheries
To express concern about the incidental bycatch of marine mammals
in fishing gears, and to investigate possibilities for technical
improvements to minimize this threat to wildlife in the Wadden
Sea.
According to the Dutch Memorandum on Sea and Coastal Fishery,
the use of certain types of fyke nets is forbidden in the Wadden
Sea. As of March 1994, fyke nets, which are allowed, must be
equipped with devices preventing the entering of marine mammals.
According to the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans
of the Baltic and North Seas (Ascobans), the prevention of incidental
bycatch requires the development of modified methods and devices
for fishing. The German Commission for Marine Research (DWK)
has been asked to discuss the issue and to see to it that it
is made subject to consultations within the ICES framework. Furthermore,
the European Commission has been asked by Germany to strive,
as far as necessary, for diminishing the bycatch by developing
adequate catching equipment. In Denmark, the development of acoustical
and other technical devices to prevent bycatch, is under discussion.
RECREATION
To maintain the recreational values of the Wadden Sea area and
to this end
to establish zones covering the most sensitive areas where no
recreational activities including excursion ships and recreational
boating is allowed;
In all areas of the Wadden Sea, zones have been established in
which recreational activities including shipping is prohibited.
In the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea, areas have also been closed
for navigation during part of the year or the whole year according
to Section 17 of the Dutch Nature Conservation Act.
The majority of the seal nursing places and birds' moulting and
staging areas in the German part of the Wadden Sea are protected
as seal and bird reserves, where shipping is prohibited part
of the year or the whole year. They do not cover the whole of
the zone-1 area. Shipping is prohibited, where appropriate, in
general in the zone-1 areas only during the 6 hrs of low tide.
to concentrate recreation pressure by allowing ships to stay
only within 200 m of the nearest channel at low water; This objective
has only been implemented in the Dutch Wadden Sea through the
Nature Conservation Act, and in zone 1 of the German national
parks. It needs further consideration in the remaining parts
of the Wadden Sea.
to impose a speed limit on recreational boats outside the designated
shipping routes;
A general speed limit of 20 km/h has been introduced in the Dutch
Wadden Sea outside of designated shipping lanes.
The speed limit of 15 km/h is only valid for the zone 1 of the
German national parks with the exception of designated routes.
Currently, the introduction of a speed limit for the whole area
of the national parks is under negotiation.
A 10-knot-speed limit is in force in the Danish Wadden Sea outside
of the main shipping routes.
to prohibit the use of hovercraft and jet scooters;
The use of hovercraft and jet scooters is prohibited in the Dutch
and Danish parts of the Wadden Sea within the designated Nature
Reserve, national parks and the Memorandum Area. Exemptions for
the use of hovercraft can be granted as indicated under §
8.5. Hovercraft are forbidden in the German part of the Wadden
Sea. Jet scooters are only forbidden in the zones 1 of the national
parks.
to limit the use of jet skis, water skis and similar motorized
equipment to small designated areas;
The use of waterskis in the Dutch Wadden Sea is allowed only
in two small, defined areas. The use of jet skis, jet scooters
and similar equipment is prohibited in the State Nature Reserve.
In the German Wadden Sea, the use of such equipment is prohibited
only in the zones 1 of the national parks. In the Danish Wadden
Sea, the use of such equipment is prohibited.
to avoid new marinas and to allow extension of the existing marina
capacity only within the approved levels.
The objective has been implemented in national policies.
In The Netherlands, the extension of the marina capacity is generally
restricted to the overnight visitors' capacity.
HUNTING
To reduce the disturbance to wildlife caused by hunting in the
Wadden Sea area, and to this end
to progressively phase out hunting of migratory species in the
Wadden Sea;
to evaluate the issue at the next Governmental Conference;
to allow hunting of non-migratory species only if it can be made
clear that migratory species are not harmed;
Hunting of migratory species will be phased out in the Dutch
part of the Wadden Sea and in most of the nature areas, both
on the islands and on the mainland. Since September 1994, there
has been a trade ban on migratory species, except widgeons. There
is an agreement of the Dutch government and the hunting organizations
to further reduce hunting of geese species and, to that end,
elaborate management plans within two years.
Hunting on the major parts of the tidal flats in the Lower Saxon
Wadden Sea National Park has been phased out and will totally
be terminated by the end of 1994. In coastal salt marshes and
on the islands, hunting on waterfowl is in some parts forbidden
and in the remaining areas restricted to a maximum of ten days/annum
in zone 1 of the National Park. The process of phasing out this
kind of hunting is ongoing through a successive changing of the
leases.
Hunting is prohibited in the Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park.
Hunting in the remaining leased areas in the Schleswig-Holstein
National Park will be phased out by 2000. However, an agreement
not to hunt in these areas has been introduced.
Hunting in the Danish Wadden Sea will be progressively phased
out until 1998, in accordance with the above objectives. However,
the possibilities for hunting in the Wadden Sea on an ecologically
sustainable basis have been investigated by the Danish Wadden
Sea Advisory Board. A management strategy for hunting in the
Danish Wadden Sea will be presented at the TGC-7.
to prohibit the use of lead pellets in the Wadden Sea area by
February 1993.
The use of lead pellets is prohibited in Denmark and The Netherlands.
In Germany, an agreement has been reached between the Hunting
Association and the Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and
Forestry to recommend a ban on the use of lead pellets for hunting
waterfowl in areas with low sedimentation rate. In case of non
compliance with this recommendation it will be considered to
introduce a specific legal ban.
CIVIL AIR TRAFFIC
To limit the impact of civil air traffic on the Wadden Sea, and
to this end
to prohibit the building of new civil airports in the Wadden
Sea area;
to restrict the rebuilding and expansion of existing civil airports
in the Wadden Sea area to cases where this is essential in order
to increase the safety of air traffic;
These decisions have been implemented for the Dutch PKB area.
There are currently no plans for the construction of new airports
or the reconstruction or expansion of existing ones in The Wadden
Sea area.
to establish a minimum flight altitude of 1500 to 2000 feet (450
- 600 m) in the Wadden Sea area and to establish flight corridors
in less vulnerable parts of the area, where a minimum flight
altitude of 700 feet (210 m) on working days and 1000 feet (300
m) during weekends is valid;
The indicated flight altitudes and flight corridors have not
yet been fully implemented by the countries. In The Netherlands
and Denmark, an executive order is in preparation to implement
the objectives. In Germany, an agreement has been made between
the German aero club and the national park administrations to
maintain a flight altitude of 2000 feet in the national parks.
to prohibit the use of ultra-light aircraft in the Wadden Sea
area with the exception of scientific and enforcement purposes;
this item will be discussed again at the next Wadden Sea Governmental
Conference;
This objective has been implemented in the PKB part of the Dutch
Wadden Sea. According to the Noise Nuisance Act, the use of ultra-light
aircraft over most of the Wadden Sea is forbidden.
The objective has not yet been implemented in Germany.
In the Danish part of the Wadden Sea, the objective will be implemented
in the aforementioned planned executive order.
to establish helicopter flight routes and altitudes in such a
way that disturbance to wildlife is minimized;
This objective has been implemented in the Dutch Wadden Sea.
It will be regulated by an Order in Council under the Aviation
Act.
The objective has not yet been implemented in the German part
of the Wadden Sea.
The objective will be implemented in the Danish Wadden Sea in
the aforementioned executive order.
to prohibit in principle advertisement flights.
This objective has been implemented in the Dutch Wadden Sea,
with the exception of the 'Sail Texel' manifestation. The objective
has not yet been implemented in the German part of the Wadden
Sea. The objective will be implemented in the Danish Wadden Sea
in the aforementioned executive order.
MILITARY ACTIVITIES
To further reduce the impact of military activities and to this
end
to reduce the negative effects of low altitude flight routes
of military aircraft by reducing the number of flights and reducing
the maximum speed;
to examine the possibilities of concentrating and/or phasing
out military activities in the Wadden Sea on the basis of a study
of their environmental impacts:
(i)to concentrate shooting ranges near Den Helder, The Netherlands;
(ii)to combine activities of Noordvaarder (Terschelling) and
Vliehors (Vlieland), The Netherlands;
(iii)to phase out the shooting ranges at the Meldorfer Bucht
and Sylt;
to take coordinated action to minimize disturbance caused by
military air traffic in the Wadden Sea area;
to give high priority to the assignment of redundant shooting
ranges as nature protection areas.
The low-altitude-flight route in the Dutch Wadden Sea has been
temporarily suspended, pending the outcome of the investigation
of the activity. The number and maximum speed of military aircraft
have been reduced.
The shooting ranges at Den Helder have been abolished by The
Netherlands.
The shooting range at Noordvaarder will be abolished in 1995
without increasing the number of flights on Vliehors.
The shooting range at Sylt has been abolished since 1992. The
shooting area was already situated within a nature protected
area. The ballistic tests with non-explosive cartridges, carried
out at the range at Meldorfer Bucht, have been subject to time
restrictions and the number of ballistic tests have been reduced
to approximately 20 days a year.
INPUT OF POLLUTING SUBSTANCES
To welcome the decisions reached at the 3rd International North
Sea Conference regarding the reduction of the inputs of hazardous
substances and the phasing out of PCBs, and in addition agree
to achieve a significant reduction (of 50% or more) of total
inputs (via all pathways) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) and organotin compounds, between 1985 and 1995, provided
the use of best available techniques makes such a reduction possible;
The Netherlands' policy aims at a reduction of the emissions
of PAHs of 90% in the period 1985 - 2000.
Organotin compounds are mainly used as anti-fouling paints for
ships. The use of such paints for ships of less than 25 m is
prohibited in accordance with EU regulations. For the remaining
applications, a national policy is under development in the framework
of the planning of future policies for pesticides (the so-called
multi-year program for hygiene and protection of materials).
An exact prognosis of the resulting reduction in the use of organotin
compounds cannot be given yet.
In Germany, the reductions of PAH emissions are implemented in
particular through the application of best available technology
(Stand der Technik) for motor vehicles, domestic heating and
for coking plants. The reduction in inputs of tin compounds is
achieved in the framework of the national implementation of Directive
91/338/EWG, through the Dangerous Substances Ordinance (Gefahrenstoffverordnung),
by which the application of organic tin compounds in anti-fouling
paints for ships of less than 25 m, aqua culture and other submarine
installations, is forbidden.
The Danish policy concerning reduction of PAH inputs is based
on the use of best available technology.
There is a ban on the use of organotin compounds in antifouling
paints for ships of less than 25 m, which is the widest field
of use. Other kinds of use are carefully investigated.
to take measures to phase out and to destroy in an environmentally
safe manner hazardous PCB-substitutes by 1995;
In The Netherlands and Denmark, hazardous PCB substitutes are
forbidden and have never been used.
In Germany, the use of the hazardous PCB substitutes Ugilec 141,
Ugilec 121 and DBBT is forbidden in accordance with EC Directive
91/339/EEC.
to examine the possibilities of designating the catchment area
of the Wadden Sea a sensitive area according to the EC Nitrate
and Municipal Waste Water Directives.
In The Netherlands and Denmark, the catchment areas of the Wadden
Sea are part of the areas designated as sensitive area under
the EC Nitrate and Municipal Waste Water Directives. In Germany,
the EC Nitrate and Municipal Waste Water Directives are already
applied throughout the country with the exception of the federal
states Baden-Württemberg, Bayern and Sachsen, which have
designated sensitive areas on the basis of the assessment of
specific cases. Tertiary treatment is being introduced step by
step with N-elimination in treatment plants of more than 5000
population equivalents (pe) and P-elimination in treatment plants
>20,000 pe (respectively >10,000 pe in the framework of
the EC-Directive 91/ 271/EEC).
CLIMATIC CHANGES AND SEA LEVEL RISE
To acknowledge that the possible climatic changes and sea level
rise, resulting from the enhanced greenhouse effect, may result
in significant changes in the ecosystem and the functions of
the Wadden Sea and therefore welcome the important work of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the UNCED
Climate Convention and support the actions mentioned in the Noordwijk
Declaration on Atmospheric Pollution and Climatic Change (November
1989). Furthermore agree
to express their concern about the possible ecological damage
due to the greenhouse-effect, especially the loss of biotopes
or species through sea level rise or increase in water temperature;
to stress the need for research and information about the effects
and risks of the expected changes, and about possible adaptive
measures;
to devote one of the next working conferences or a workshop to
these questions.
In The Netherlands, studies are carried out into the consequences
of an eventual sea level rise.
In 1992, a workshop was held at the German Nature Conservation
Academy on Vilm. A symposium was held in June 1994. A current
research project, commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Research
and Technology, focusses on the potential impact of climatic
changes on the coastal area.
RESTORATION OF THE WADDEN SEA AND REINTRODUCTION OF SPECIES
To develop plans for restoring parts of the Wadden Sea if it
can be shown by scientific research that the actual values and
actual functions of the Wadden Sea are not satisfactory and if
it is in accordance with the general objectives.
A number of restoration plans are in the process of being developed
and/or carried out as, e.g. indicated in § 6.3.
To continue the efforts to reintroduce the houting into the Wadden
Sea area on a coordinated basis.
Steps have been taken to introduce the houting in the Lower Saxon
and the Dutch Wadden Sea area in continuance of the Danish and
Schleswig-Holstein efforts. The issue needs to be pursued in
the coming period.
SPECIES PROTECTION
Red List Marine Species and Biotopes
To broaden and intensify the protection of plants and animals,
and to this end agree
to develop a Red List of marine and coastal species and biotopes
in the Wadden Sea area covering the three member states which
points out the endangered species, both within the Wadden Sea
taken as an entity and in separate areas of each Wadden Sea country;
Germany is lead country in the development of a common Red List.
A number of trilateral meetings were held with the aim to develop
a common set of criteria for the selection of Red-list species.
The list will contain endangered marine and coastal species and
biotopes, and, as far as possible, the causative factors.
to develop common conservation objectives for such species and
biotopes and to take appropriate action for their protection
by implementing special programs if these can prevent the extinction
of such animals, and by taking general measures to improve the
environment as a whole.
Based on the above list, protective measures for biotopes, certain
groups of species (e.g. anadromous and catadromous fish species,
long-lived benthic invertebrates) and individual species will
be considered in the framework of the future coordinated Management
Plan.
Conservation of Seals and Small Cetaceans
To welcome the Conservation and Management Plan for the Wadden
Sea Seal Population 1991-1995, which has been elaborated in accordance
with art. 4 of the Agreement on the Conservation of Seals in
the Wadden Sea.
To investigate which additional measures can be taken for the
protection of the grey seal.
No further activities have been undertaken. The issue needs to
be addressed in terms of follow-up of the Common Seal Management
Plan.
To welcome the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans
of the Baltic and the North Sea, and to cooperate closely with
its respective bodies where appropriate.
The agreement (ASCOBANS) has recently entered into force, and
cooperation needs to be developed with the secretariat of the
ASCOBANS.
WARDENING OF THE WADDEN SEA
To ensure that adequate wardening of the whole Wadden Sea will
be established guided by the common standards as set out in Annex
1, before the next Governmental Conference.
In the Dutch and Danish parts of the Wadden Sea, the common standards
for wardening have been implemented. In both countries, it is
currently considered how the present systems can be improved
in line with the standards indicated in terms of, e.g. improving
collaboration and information with all involved authorities.
Wardening has been partly implemented in the German part of the
Wadden Sea. In 1994, the National Park Administration of Hamburg
established a wardening system in cooperation with the NGO 'Verein
Jordsand e.V.'. The National Park Agency of Schleswig-Holstein
elaborated a concept for wardening pursuant to Annex 1. Parts
of the relevant information concept have already been implemented.
The latter is also the case for the Niedersachsen National Park.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
To intend to harmonize environmental impact assessment (EIA)
with regard to the activities in the Wadden Sea region, without
prejudice to the existing national legislation, taking into account
the EC Directive 85/337 concerning the Assessment of the Environmental
Impact of Certain Public and Private Projects, and noting the
ECE Convention on EIA (Helsinki, 1990).
To inform and, where necessary to consult with other Wadden Sea
States, whenever an environmental impact assessment is executed
for projects which might have significant adverse impact within
the Wadden Sea area.
In 1992, a trilateral working group was installed on the issue
by the Trilateral Working Group (TWG). The Environmental Impact
Assessment Working Group (EIAWG) submitted its final report to
the TWG in 1994.
MUTUAL ASSISTANCE
To investigate the possibilities for the development of a system
of mutual assistance and/or exchange of information in cases
of major accidents or other incidents which could lead to pollution
of the Wadden Sea and with regards to other problems such as
epidemics.
This issue will be addressed in the framework of the further
elaboration of the coordinated Management Plan.
COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF MONITORING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
To cooperate in scientific research and monitoring with respect
to the Wadden Sea by
elaborating a harmonized program of studies on items of special
interest and in particular with respect to the common protection
of the area;
welcoming the recommendations of the working group on the development
of a common Wadden Sea Monitoring Program and instructing the
Trilateral Working Group (TWG) to further implement the Program
in accordance with the terms of reference as elaborated by the
Trilateral Working Group;
The first phase of the Integrated Trilateral Wadden Sea Monitoring
and Assessment Program (TMAP) started in January 1994. Research
will be carried out concomitant to the monitoring program.
designating sufficiently large areas, spread evenly over the
Wadden Sea, where all exploitation and all disturbing activities
are banned and which can serve as reference areas for scientific
purposes;
In Germany, the basic prerequisites for the designation of reference
areas are being elaborated within the research project 'Ökosystemforschung
Wattenmeer'. Reference areas can only be designated after completion
of the project.
One scientific reference area has been designated in the Danish
Wadden Sea.
cooperating in the evaluation and publication of the results
of all international waterfowl counts since 1980 for the entire
Wadden Sea on a coordinated basis according to a joint project,
within the resources available. The evaluation of the waterfowl
counts since 1980 have been carried out and will be published
on the occasion of the Governmental Conference.
COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
To cooperate within the realms of public information work with
the aim of increasing the awareness of the general public to
the problems facing the Wadden Sea environment as a whole and
in order to investigate the possibilities
of establishing a cooperation between the main public information
and education centers of the Wadden Sea area;
of exchanging exhibitions and other adequate information between
the centers.
The goal to protect the full scala of habitat types in the Wadden
Sea area cannot be achieved unless this policy is understood
and accepted by most of the people involved. In fact, understanding
and active support of, for instance, local inhabitants, users
and/or visitors will often be a decisive factor for successful
policy measures. Creating public awareness and support requires
a continuing effort. It goes beyond providing information to
the public at large. General objectives are to stimulate an understanding
of the ecological and social conditions that influence the quality
of life in the Wadden Sea area, as well as to foster the willingness
to contribute to the preservation of the area.
A review of the existing information and eduction centers and
their programs was presented at the '1st International Conference
on Public Information and Education in the Wadden Sea Area' (Texel,
NL, September 1993). It shows how much has been undertaken to
inform the public about the values of the Wadden Sea area and
the measures taken to protect it, by governmental agencies, as
well as by information centers and NGOs. However, research in
The Netherlands still indicates that the general public often
lacks insight into ecological processes, into the values of nature,
and into the reasons for nature management. Public awareness
clearly is insufficient. There is a need for improvement of public
information and education by adopting a more systematic approach.
Sufficient knowledge of target groups, as well as careful evaluation
of educational activities, are keys to developing successful
educational programs.
COOPERATION WITH RESPECT TO INTERNATIONAL FORA
World Heritage Convention
To acknowledge that the Wadden Sea would benefit from inclusion
in the World Heritage List of the Convention for the Protection
of the Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972),as is stated in the
report on the potential designation of the Wadden Sea as a World
Heritage Site and to this end to develop a joint proposal for
the nomination of the Wadden Sea in the World Heritage List.
A proposal for a nomination of the Wadden Sea as a World Heritage
Site will be undertaken after agreement has been reached on the
definition of the Wadden Sea area.
Ramsar Convention
To continue to support the activities of the Convention on
Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl
Habitat (Ramsar Convention, 1971) in particular with respect
to the wise use issue and the cooperation on the protection of
shared wetlands.
The application of the wise use principles in the Wadden Sea
has been presented to the Convention in the framework of the
wise use project, financially supported by The Netherlands. This
resulted in the adoption of further guidelines for wise use at
the 5th Ramsar Convention Conference.
To examine whether it is possible in terms of ecological values
to delimitate the Wadden Sea region on a common basis according
to Article 2.1 of the Ramsar Convention.
Reference is made to § 5.
To investigate whether zoning can be used to improve the protection
of the Wadden Sea with respect to:
(i)the designation of buffer areas adjacent to the Wadden Sea
area (both landward and seaward) in order to enable a better
regulation of activities outside the Wadden Sea which could have
an impact on the Wadden Sea ecosystem;
(ii)the need to harmonize zoning measures within the Wadden Sea,
including the designation of special protection zones.
First steps have been made by the trilateral Habitat Working
Group and the Management Project Group. The coherency of habitats
seems to be a good basis for the further development of zoning.
Flyway Co-operation
To recognize that the Ramsar Convention Conference, 1990, and
the Western Palearctic Waterfowl Agreement currently considered
in the framework of the Bonn Convention, call for the establishment
of partnerships between wetlands and parties to protect waterfowl
and wetlands.
To acknowledge that the Wadden Sea is a core area for the migrating
waterfowl of the East Atlantic Flyway and to this end agree on
the necessity for a common approach with regard to the protection
of migrating waterfowl in the whole range of the flyway and further
agree to carry out a feasibility study into monitoring and cooperation,
acknowledging the existing and ongoing bilateral cooperation
between the USSR and Germany and the USSR and The Netherlands.
Expeditions to Guinea-Bissau have been carried out by a joint
Wadden Sea research team with participants from the three countries.
A further partnership between the Wadden Sea area and the coastal
areas of Guinea-Bissau is currently considered.
The Dutch cooperation with other countries, e.g in central and
eastern Europe and west Africa, is placed in the framework of
the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement, for which The Netherlands
is the lead country. In particular the cooperation with the Russian
Federation has been intensive.
A partnership agreement was concluded between the Schleswig-Holstein
National Park and the Taymyr Nature Reserve.
European Community
To work towards integrating the protection of the Wadden Sea
into the environmental policies of the European Communities by
examining the developments of the internal market in relation
to the protection of the Wadden Sea;
promoting the designation of the Wadden Sea as a special conservation
area according to Annex 1 of the draft EC Directive on the Protection
of Natural and Semi-natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora,
when this comes into force; examining the possibilities of cooperation
on the national and regional level supported by the EC, to enable
a more comprehensive protection of the Wadden Sea.
It is referred to § 5.
North Sea Conferences
To take notice of the invitation of the 3rd International North
Sea Conference to continue to report on the progress made with
respect to the protection of the Wadden Sea to the International
North Sea Conferences and to this end agree
to develop recommendations for further measures to the 4th International
North Sea Conference in 1995 at the 7th Trilateral Governmental
Conference on the Protection of the Wadden Sea (1994);
when assessing the need for such recommendations that special
attention will be paid to:
(i)the reduction of nutrients and other pollutants reaching the
Wadden Sea; and
(ii)the protection of other coastal, estuarine and open sea areas
(e.g. The Wash) which are also visited by bird populations which
use the Wadden Sea and which have strong similar interests with
regard to species and populations.
As a first step, recommendations of the Senior Officials were
submitted to the preparatory meeting of the Inter Ministerial
Meeting. In the recommendations, the need for reviewing the strategy
for improving the eutrophication status and an assessment of
effects of changes in the N/P ratio at the 4th North Sea Conference
was addressed. Furthermore, it was advised to assess whether
additional measures for reducing pesticide inputs into the North
Sea and the Wadden Sea are necessary at the 4th North Sea Conference.
Finally, it was proposed to discuss the development of marine
protected areas at the 4th North Sea Conference.
The Wash
To welcome the Memorandum of Intent between the Trilateral Wadden
Sea Cooperation and the English Nature on the Wash / North Norfolk
Coast and the Wadden Sea.
In the framework of the Memorandum, a work program for the years
1992 - 1994 has been carried out. During the program, information
has been exchanged and/or methods harmonized with regard to the
Geographical Information System (GIS), bird monitoring, salt
marsh vegetation surveys, pollution, fisheries and seals. 4.
CONCLUSIONS
4.1 Assessment of the ecological state of the Wadden Sea
EUTROPHICATION
The following issues of concern were identified:-
the increase in biomass and abundance of macrozoobenthos;-
the frequency of toxic and nuisance blooms;-
the shift in species diversity and composition;-
the oxygen deficiency in sediment surface (so-called black spots);
-
the increasing abundance of macroalgae.
Furthermore, the insufficient overall quality of nutrient monitoring
is considered an issue of concern.
Important gaps in knowledge were determined with regard to the
limiting factors in primary production, the fate of primary production
products - in other words, does increased nutrient supply
result in more detritus or can we harvest more edible species
-, and the question to what extent is remobilization of nutrients
occurring caused by fishery and dredging.
The participants in the trilateral workshop on eutrophication
(May 1994) concluded that the length of Phaeocystis blooms, the
coverage of tidal flats with mats of macroalgae, and chlorophyll
concentrations are at present the best indicators of eutrophication.
The precise relation between these parameters and excess nutrients
and other influencing factors (i.e. light) is, however, insufficiently
known. They therefore recommend to start a trilateral research
program with the aim of clarifying these relationships.
MICROPOLLUTANTS
The following issues of concern were identified:
-the concentrations of some man-made substances (e.g. TBT, PCB,
dioxines) are at a level, at which the reproduction and immune
system functioning are negatively effected;
-the concentrations of some natural micropollutants (i.e. heavy
metals) are still above background levels-
the effects of contaminants on the immune system (fish, mammals);-
the intercalibration of sampling and analytical methods (especially
for organochlorines).
Also some important gaps in knowledge have become apparent:-
the operational discharges by ships (including into the air);
-the effects of contaminants on zooplankton (the relation with
eutrophication through the grazing function of zooplankton, also
related to fish production and the role of detritus in the food
web);
-the fate and distribution of substances not systematically monitored
in the marine environment (i.e. the PCB substitute Ugilec and
pesticides;
-the insufficient data on (the effects of) operational discharges
of oil and chemicals from ships and offshore platforms, or from
the adjacent North Sea, into the Wadden Sea.
DISTURBANCE
The effects of fisheries on the availability of food resources
(i.e. availability of mussels, cockles and associated fauna for
eiders, oystercatchers and other predators), and the disturbing
effects of recreation and tourism have been identified as the
main issues of concern. At the same time, the knowledge about
both issues, especially the effects of recreation and tourism,
is poor.
HABITAT DESTRUCTION
The main issues of concern in this category are the negative
effects of fisheries on the distribution and abundance of eelgrass
and natural mussel beds, the damage to and loss of biotopes due
to tourism and recreation, and the possible effects of an increased
sea level rise and the frequency and intensity of storms on sedimentation
and erosion processes.
There are important gaps in knowledge with regard to effects
of an increased sea level rise and frequency and intensity of
storms, and effects of an increase in temperature on primary
production.
MONITORING AND RESEARCH
Our understanding of the quality of the ecosystem of the Wadden
Sea is hampered by insufficient data and a lack of knowledge
about the functioning of the ecosystem. With regard to the first
aspect, it concerns both the amount of data (too little data
to be able to determine geographical or temporal trends; only
a limited amount of substances is monitored) and the quality
of the data (data from different locations and/or periods or
time are not comparable due to differences in sampling and/or
analytical methods).
Monitoring and concomitant ecosystem research must therefore
continue to be improved with specific emphasis on the quality
of data, the quality of networks, and the quality of interpretation
tools.
4.2 Progress in the implementation of the Esbjerg Declaration
In the Status of the Implementation of the Esbjerg Declaration
at Annex 1, a general overview of the current implementation
of the Esbjerg Declaration is presented based on the information
presented in the foregoing chapter.
Taking into account the relatively short time span between the
6th Trilateral Governmental Conference in Esbjerg in 1991 and
the 7th Trilateral Governmental Conference in Leeuwarden in 1994
considerable progress has been made with respect to the implementation
of the Esbjerg Declaration:
In The Netherlands, the relevant agreements of the Esbjerg Declaration
have been included in the amended Wadden Sea Memorandum (PKB-Wadden
Sea), which entered into force on December 3, 1993. Recently
the Dutch Parliament agreed upon the Partial Revision of the
Wadden Sea Memorandum regarding mining. Nearly the whole Wadden
Sea is protected by the Nature Conservation Act. In the framework
of the Policy Document on Shooting and Game Management, a 'phasing-out'
policy with regard to hunting of migratory species has been agreed.
In the framework of the Policy Document on Sea and Coastal Fisheries,
areas have been closed for cockle and mussel seed fisheries.
Further, a policy for years with food shortage has been elaborated.
In Germany, the Esbjerg Declaration is being implemented by the
responsible federal and state authorities. This has, amongst
others, resulted in the continuation and further extension of
the policies with respect to diminishing environmental problems
or disturbance caused by exploration, exploitation or transportation
of gas and oil, and the introduction of a shipping regulation
in the Wadden Sea national parks. Amended Nature Conservation
Acts have tightened the protection of Wadden Sea biotopes. The
grazing intensity of large salt marsh areas has been sharply
reduced by administrative measures. The military exercise area
at Sylt was closed in April 1993, and the ballistic tests in
the remaining military area at Meldorfer Bucht was diminished
and ecologically tuned with sensitive periods for waterbirds.
Furthermore, cockle fishery ended in the German part of the Wadden
Sea in March 1992, and hunting has been reduced considerably.
In Denmark, the relevant agreements of the Esbjerg Declaration
have been embraced by the amended Statutory Order on the Nature
and Wildlife Reserve, which entered into force on July 1, 1992.
The amended Nature Protection Act and Planning Act restricts
urban development and construction in a coastal zone of approx.
3 km along all Danish coasts. The new Act on Hunting and Wildlife
Administration secures a better protection of the wildlife. The
amended Nature Conservation Act entails a tightened protection
of salt marshes, fresh marshes, dunes and other biotopes. The
amended Statutory Order entails provisions on the administration
and delimitation of internationally designated areas (among others
Ramsar and EC Bird Directive areas). These regulations have entered
into force during the last three years and resulted in a strengthened
protection also in the Wadden Sea area.
It is therefore justified to conclude that good progress has
been achieved in the protection and conservation of the Wadden
Sea as an ecological entity, as agreed in the framework of the
Joint Declaration on the Protection of the Wadden Sea.
There are, however, a number of issues, both of a general as
well as a specific nature, that need to be critically assessed
and further considered at the forthcoming Trilateral Governmental
Conference.
With the aim to achieve further progress in the protection of
the Wadden Sea, the most essential general issues that need further
attention are:
-the differences in the spatial implementation of the Esbjerg
Declaration since the national protection areas have been defined
differently (in Germany the national parks, in Denmark the area
of the Statutory Order and in The Netherlands the PKB-area);
-the difference in the approach of external aspects, e.g. the
regulation of activities outside the protected areas;
-the different results of the national implementation of the
trilateral policies due to national political, juridical and
administrative circumstances.
There are some objectives which have not yet or only partly been
implemented by (some of) the countries, in particular:
-the objectives with respect to mussel fishery has not yet been
implemented in the Schleswig-Holstein part of the Wadden Sea;
-no decision has yet been taken on the phasing out of hunting
on migratory species in the Lower Saxon part of the Wadden Sea;
-some of the objectives concerning civil air traffic have not
yet been fully implemented in national legislation, administrative
prescriptions, or voluntary agreements, in particular minimum
flight altitudes;
-the objectives concerning recreation, in particular speed limits,
have not yet been completely implemented in all three countries.
In addition hereto, it should be noted that some of the objectives
which require concerted trilateral action, such as the proposal
for the nomination of the Wadden Sea as a World Heritage Site,
have not yet been implemented for reasons of time shortage and
the necessity to achieve progress on other issues.
In order to solve the general issues indicated above, the elaboration
of a coordinated management plan is important. In addition the
management plan should entail common targets and the regulation
of human activities based on the principles and objectives agreed
in the Esbjerg Declaration.
It is necessary to consider the further implementation of the
specific objectives of the Esbjerg Declaration which are not
yet or only partly implemented. Moreover, the objectives of the
Esbjerg Declaration should be considered in the framework of
the coordinated management plan, and additional initiatives be
taken in the light of the ecological state of the Wadden Sea,
to ensure a sustainable utilization of the whole Wadden Sea in
line with the wise use principles adopted at the Esbjerg Conference
in 1991.
