1. Policy & Management
Trilateral Conference on Neobiota in the Wadden Sea
 On 26 August 2010, the 5th
Trilateral Wadden Sea Day was held in Wilhelmshaven. Over 110
participants attended the conference on “Neobiota
in the Wadden Sea - Challenges for Nature Conservation”. The Conference
was jointly organized by the National Park Administration Lower Saxon
Wadden Sea and the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat. The great response
on the registration clearly showed the relevance of this issue.
Experts from the Netherlands, Germany
and Denmark gave information on the colonization and distribution of
alien species in the Wadden Sea and introduced tools for assessing
the risks of ballast water exchange. They also pointed out impacts on
different management strategies or risks of mussel transports, and
presented new concepts for monitoring changes in biodiversity,
including proposals for enhancing public awareness on the issue
introduction of alien species. Furthermore, the experts made
proposals for prevention, management and control of invasive alien
species.
During the concluding
discussion, priority issues were named. These were, for example,
preparing an inventory of on-going projects and activities, setting
mechanisms to control introduction of alien species, using the existing
framework of national, international and EU regulations for managing
alien species, and enhancing the cooperation between the countries by
developing a trilateral management plan for the Wadden Sea.
The scientific conference on neobiota in the Wadden Sea was a first step
towards implementing the agreement of the Sylt
Ministerial Conference (March 2010) to develop a common strategy for
dealing with alien species introductions in the Wadden Sea, also
taking account of the request of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
and the ballast water convention.
For further information please
visit the website:
www.waddensea-secretariat.org/news/symposia/WaddenSeaDay2010/WaddenSeaDay2010.html
Wadden Sea World Heritage Site
- What is happening?
 As a common initiative of
tourism organizations and nature conservation agencies in the
Netherlands and Germany, a joint World Heritage campaign is currently
being implemented. The initiative is a follow up of the 2009 campaign
to further enhance the awareness of the Wadden Sea World Heritage and
to increase the public awareness for the universal values of the
property, to support nature conservation and sustainable tourism, and
intensify the cooperation between all stakeholders. As a result of a
creative competition, in which 11 communication agencies
participated, of which 5 presented a pitch, Publicis
Hamburg was selected to implement the campaign.
The first part has been
implemented by Publicis by preparing print
advertisements, online banners and A1 posters in three languages in
the new campaign layout for use in the partner network. The ads have
already been used by the partners in various print media and
magazines. All material can be downloaded at the World Heritage
website.
In the second phase of the
campaign, inhabitants and visitors will be actively involved by
telling their story about the Wadden Sea under the motto: Be part of
the World Heritage. A team of “story hunters” will be established in
all four regions to look for interesting stories and to attract media
attention.
A World Heritage information
module is currently being elaborated by the German national parks in
cooperation with Ecomare, Texel. The module
contains basic World Heritage information and can be extended with
additional modules, thus be easily placed in centres
or existing exhibitions.
Further information about the
World Heritage Site:
http://www.waddensea-worldheritage.org/
2. Research &
Monitoring
Toward a
trilateral research agenda. Scientific symposium in Leeuwarden on 8 -
10 December 2010
In cooperation with the CWSS,
AWI, GKSS and the University of Copenhagen, the Wadden Academy will organise a scientific symposium on the Wadden Sea
Region to explore possibilities to set up trilateral research programmes which follow an integrated system
approach.
Scientists of all disciplines - geology, ecology, cultural history,
economy and climate - will present their research findings from a
trilateral perspective. What are the commonalities and differences
between sub-regions? The aim of the symposium is to identify
important cross-border gaps in our knowledge of the Wadden Sea
Region. In addition, the symposium will be dedicated to the
exploration of possibilities to set up trilateral research programmes which follow an integrated system
approach. Presentations will be given by possible financers of these programmes.
The 5th symposium of the
Wadden Academy takes place in the run-up to the 13th ISWSS, the
International Scientific Wadden Sea Symposium, which will be held in
2012. The 13th edition of the ISWSS will be organised
by The Netherlands; the Wadden Academy has been invited by the Dutch
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality to take the lead in
the organisation.
More detailed information
about the programme and the registration
form will be available on the website of the Wadden Academy (www.waddenacademie.knaw.nl) in October.
More: http://www.waddenacademie.knaw.nl/News_item.19+M5e04e5fb354.0.html
3. Information &
Education
The Teachers' Lounge - a new
offer by the IWSS
 In time for the school start
after the summer, the new "Teachers’ Lounge" of the
International Wadden Sea School (IWSS) opens its virtual doors. In
addition to the compact information of the IWSS website about
sustainable school trips in the international Wadden Sea, the new
"Teachers Lounge" now provides
free access to all educational materials of the IWSS.
The Wadden Sea Puzzle and the
complete IWSS migratory game are available, as well as all species
determination sheets and Wadden Sea maps. "Teachers who treat
the subject of the Wadden Sea in the classroom or prepare their class
trip to the coast can find the available information and
material," says Anja Szczesinski, coordinator of the
International Wadden Sea School. Teachers can also use the new
"material exchange platform" to exchange concepts, lesson
plans and material from teacher to teacher.
In addition, the IWSS
"Teachers' Lounge" informs about new development in
environmental Wadden Sea education and presents new and useful
learning sessions for schools and teaching. After a simple, free
registration procedure, teachers have access to the "Teachers’
Lounge" and access to all downloads. The service is free and the
data will not be disclosed to third parties.
The International Wadden Sea
School (IWSS) is a trilateral information and environmental education
programme of the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation.
Further information at: http://www.iwss.org
World Heritage Summer School
on Sylt
This year's summer school at
the Wadden Sea Station in List/Sylt of the
Alfred-Wegener-Foundation of Polar and Marine Research is dedicated
to the theme “The Wadden Sea as World Heritage Site - Ecology and
Sustainable Use” (14 - 23 September).
The 10-day practical courses
have been carried out since 2003 and offer young scientists from
various disciplines the possibility to learn more about the
ecological functions of the Wadden Sea and its protection and
management. 15 participants from Germany, France, The Netherlands and
Croatia joined the course this year which deals in particular with
impacts of climate change, coastal morphology and sediment dynamics,
threats to ecological functions (ocean acidification, species
invasion, changing trophic interactions), and sustainable use of
goods and services (fishery, aquaculture, energy, tourism).
“The World Heritage status of
the Wadden Sea is also for scientists of high relevance” says
Ragnhild Asmus of the AWI Wadden Sea Station, who organizes the
summer school. ”It underlines the unique value of the ecosystem
Wadden Sea but also the need for scientific research to understand
and protect it”. At the end of the course, the participants will be
asked to formulate their visions for the future of the Wadden Sea.
Job opportunity: Communication
Officer for the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation
The Trilateral Wadden Sea
Cooperation has decided to strengthen its information &
communication activities. This also regards the recent inscription of
the Wadden Sea on the World Heritage List and the establishment of
the Danish Wadden Sea National Park. The Common Wadden Sea
Secretariat will therefore employ, at the earliest possible date, a
Communication Officer on a project basis. Deadline for applications
is 30 September 2010.
Download the job advertisement
at:
http://www.waddensea-secretariat.org/news/Job%20Advertisement%20Communication%20Officer.pdf
4. Publications
Wild Wonders of Europe
 Peter Cairns, Florian Möllers, Staffan Widstrand and Briget Wijnberg. 32 x 25 x 2.4 cm, 288 pages, 250 photos
(mainly fully paged), hardback, German Edition: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Germany; Mai 2010; 39,95,- Euro. ISBN
978-3-86690-174-2
English Edition: Harry N.
Abrams, London.; May 2010; UK £ 29,99. ISBN:
978-0810996144 Dutch Edition: G+J Publishing CV & Carrera
Publishers, 2010 ; 39,95 EURO. ISBN
978-90-488-0510-5
The result of one of the
largest photography projects ever undertaken, "Wild Wonders of
Europe" presents an astonishing view of the continent's flora
and fauna. Organized by Staffan Widstrand, Bridget Wijnberg,
Florian Mollers, and Peter Cairns, each
award-winning nature journalists in their own right, this remarkable
book reveals the wildlife and landscapes of all 48 European
countries. From dramatic tableaus of spectacular valleys, waterfalls,
and forests, to intimate views of strange and rarely seen creatures,
a team of 69 photographers captures the full range of animal and
plant life throughout the continent - and the Wadden Sea is amongst
it.
With a focus on conservation
and reintroducing vulnerable species to their natural habitats, the
accompanying texts express hope for the future of European
biodiversity. Part of the celebration of the International Year of
Biodiversity in 2010, the release of this book will coincide with
travelling exhibitions, both outdoors and indoors, all over Europe.
The photographs are breathtaking and the text is informative. It is
hard to believe that all the images are taken in Europe. The book
with its magnificent pictures is inspiring and shows the beauty of
Europe's nature: “Unseen, unexpected and unforgettable” as the cover
of the book is underlined. That is true!
Martin Stock
Wadden Sea World Heritage
 Weltnaturerbe Wattenmeer
- Eine Luftbildreise.
Gerhard Launer & Holger
Schulz 30 x 24,6 cm, 96 pages, 96 photos (mainly fully paged),
hardcover, Ellert & Richter Verlag, Hamburg, 2010;
19,95,- Euro. ISBN 978-3-8319-0413-6
 Weltnaturerbe
Wattenmeer - Die Nordsee von oben. Peter Hamel & Christine
Köhler, 30 x 25 cm, 72 pages, 35 fully-paged photos, hardcover, Verlag für Lichtbilder, Hamburg, 2010;
29,50,- Euro. ISBN-13:
978-3981357417
One year following the
designation of the Wadden Sea as a World Heritage Site, two new
illustrated books about the outstanding beauty of the Wadden Sea from
a bird´s eye view are published.
Gerhard Launer,
a well-known German aerial photographer, has taken classical images
from every German Wadden Sea island or Hallig
and shows the mudflats in marvellous views
and colours. Additional pictures from
lighthouses, harbours and specific
locations complete the view on this World Heritage Site. Holger Schulz, biologist and journalist has
written the text. He introduces the reader to the history, the beauty
and the characteristics of landscape and life, followed by
description of the tidal landscape in Lower Saxony, Hamburg and
Schleswig-Holstein.
In his own publishing house,
Peter Hamel has released an impressive book about the Wadden Sea. His
images show the mudflats, islands and sandbanks in impressive views
and exceptional colours. Some pictures look
like taken in the Caribbean, bluish and water-colour
like, others show the structural beauty of gullies, sand ripples and
sandbanks. Overall, a book with images like
abstract paintings. A short introductory text informs the reader
about basics of the destination.
Martin Stock
Comparison of Approaches to
Management of Large Marine Areas
 Five years ago, Conservation
International (CI) - with support from numerous partners- started
work in three main Seascapes. CI recently commissioned this
independent analysis to help us understand the strengths and
weaknesses of various approaches to managing large-scale marine
areas. This intriguing report identifies ways organizations can work
together and learn from each others'
experiences by providing interesting regional case studies for
support.
The
report can be downloaded at:
http://www.conservation.org/publications/Pages/
Comparison_of_Approaches_to_Management_of_Large_Marine_Areas.aspx
5. Trilateral Meetings
7 October 2010
Wadden Sea Board (WSB-2)
Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Wilhelmshaven
09 - 10 November 2010
Joint Monitoring Groups Breeding / Migratory Birds (JMBB/JMMB 10/2)
Hamburg, Germany
A complete overview is at:
http://www.waddensea-secretariat.org/trilat/meetings/meetings.html
Meetings of the Wadden Sea
Forum (WSF) are at:
http://www.waddensea-forum.org/calendar.html
6. Symposia &
Workshops
Upcoming events
8-10 December 2010,
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands Scientific symposium on the Wadden Sea
Region: towards a trilateral research agenda.
In cooperation with CWSS, AWI,
GKSS and GEUS, the Wadden Academy will organise
a scientific symposium on the Wadden Sea Region to explore of
possibilities to set up trilateral research programmes
which follow an integrated system approach.
More Info at: http://www.waddenacademie.knaw.nl/News_item.19+M5e04e5fb354.0.html
A complete list of upcoming
events is at: http://www.waddensea-secretariat.org/news/events/otherconf.html
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