Short Notes

New Statutory Order for the Danish Wadden Sea Conservation Area

Implementing the Stade Decisions - Expanding the Conservation Area

On March 1, 1998 the revised Statutory Order for the Danish Nature and Wildlife Reserve (the Danish section of the Trilateral Wadden Sea Conservation Area) issued by the Danish Minister of the Environment and Energy was enacted. The revision of the Order implements the Stade Declaration including the Trilateral Wadden Sea Plan (see WSNL 97-2) adopted at the Stade Conference on October 22, 1997. One of the major reasons for revising the Danish Order were the agreements on hunting. At the Stade Conference, the 1991 Conference decision on the progressively prohibition of hunting of migratory species was amended on the proposal of Denmark to the effect that "hunting of migratory species has been, or will be, progressively phased out in the Conservation Area or in an ecologically and quantitatively corresponding area in the Wadden Sea Area".

According to the current Order, hunting migratory birds is allowed within the Conservation Area in areas of salt marshes, along the mainland coast and on Mandø and Rømø. Hunting is hence allowed in a narrow strip along the major part of the coast. Hunting is also allowed from anchored vessels and by wading west of a line between the islands from October 1 to January 31. In compensation, hunting has been forbidden in some state owned areas on Skallingen, Fanø, Mandø and Rømø. The latter areas, which were outside the Conservation Area before the revision of the Order, are now included in the Reserve.

The Danish section of the Conservation Area has hence been expanded by some 1,500 ha to include both mainland and island areas. An advantage of this solution is that a comprehensive area of strict protection has been created in the Ho Bay and Skallingen, which includes the main habitats of the Wadden Sea Area (offshore, dunes, natural salt marshes, tidal area, island).

In addition to this major revision of the Order, some minor amendments have been included to update the regulations. A maximum quota will be set for the cockle fishery each year, instead of fishing in one of three areas per year.

The responsible National Forest and Nature Agency can also set regulations for kite-flying after consultation with the municipalities. The advisory board has been abolished in the framework of the Statutory Order. The Minister and the county councils have agreed that an advisory board will be established by the counties in the future. Also the decisions of the Stade Declaration, for which the counties are responsible, will be implemented in the framework of the regional plans.

Authors address:

Jens A. Enemark

CWSS, Wilhelmshaven

e-mail: enemark@cwss.whv.net