Convened by the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and
Nuclear Safety, Nationalpark Wattenmeer (Niedersachsen, Hamburg,
Schleswig-Holstein), and the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS)
Wadden Sea conservation across borders – how to get it
fit for the future
The 12th Wadden Sea Symposium gives recommendations to the politicians
At the
end of the 12th International Scientific Wadden Sea Symposium in
Wilhelmshaven, the over 270 participants underlined the importance of
closer cooperation on the protection of the Wadden Sea. “The symposium
has shown that we have to enhance cross-border cooperation considerably
to protect the Wadden Sea’s
natural structure and functioning” says Jens Enemark, secretary general
of the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat in Wilhelmshaven.
The
symposium resulted in clear recommendations for the decision makers in
policy. The recommendations are to be taken into consideration in the
preparation of the next Trilateral Governmental Conference on Sylt in
March 2010.
The
symposium was organized by the German Ministry for the Environment,
Nature Conservation and Nuclear, Safety, the National Park
Administrations (Niedersachsen, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea
), and the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS).
Since
1975, when the first symposium was held, global changes have occurred
which have affected the Wadden Sea as a marine habitat of international
importance significantly. “Climate change and the subsequent changes in
species composition are issues of concern which have to be dealt with by
science and policy” says Wim Wolff (Uni Groningen) who initiated the
first symposium in 1975. A main demand by the researchers is therefore
to increase the resilience of the ecosystem. Management should aim to
restore natural dynamics and geomorphological conditions in the Wadden
Sea in order to allow the system to better adapt to accelerated sea
level rise.
“To
reach solutions for the entire ecosystem we have to cooperate across
borders” says Karsten Reise (Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar- und
Maritime Research, Wadden Sea Station Sylt). This means on the one hand
to also protect
the adjacent off-shore conservation areas, because there is a strong
relationship between the Wadden Sea and these areas for fish and marine
mammals. “On the other hand, an international cooperation effort is
required to prevent introduction and spreading of alien species in the
Wadden Sea”
The
experts concluded that the various EU Directives, which are relevant for
the protection of the Wadden Sea, haven not been tuned sufficiently. A
further harmonization is necessary which could also be an example for
other European conservation areas.
In
general, research and monitoring in the Wadden Sea have to be
intensified further. “The states should not restrict themselves to
minimum requirements resulting from the EU Directives as this does not
provide sufficient information for a proper and scientifically sound
ecosystem management of the Wadden Sea”
An
important milestone of international cooperation is the “Memorandum of
Understanding” which was signed between the Korean Ministry of Land,
Transport and Maritime Affairs and the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation
at the symposium. It provides a foundation for a cooperation of tidal
flat experts of these states. Korea has a tidal flat area with similar
functions as the Wadden Sea and the cooperation has the aim to exchange
knowledge and experiences between the two regions.
The
results of scientific research over the last 30 years have also
considerably contributed to support the nomination of the Wadden Sea as
World Heritage Site. A decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
will be taken in June 2009.
Introduction to the theme of the symposium
The
Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation has been supporting the implementation
of the EU Directives by providing over 20 years experience of
integration, coordination and harmonization of research, monitoring and
management for the entire ecosystem Wadden Sea. Examples are the Wadden
Sea Plan and the Trilateral Monitoring and Assessment Program (TMAP),
both of which are based on an ecosystem approach.
The
scientific conference will focus on how research and monitoring can
provide input to conservation and management, by developing new methods
and assessment tools. In addition, limitations or gaps in knowledge will
be identified. Recommendation will be given how EU Directives should be
applied in future to ensure a harmonized management of the Wadden Sea,
based upon an ecosystem approach.
Objectives of the symposium
-
To
provide new scientific insights for the integrated assessment and
management of the Wadden Sea ecosystem as an entity (e.g. how to
deal with aliens species and impacts of climate change, what
triggers the ecological processes?),
-
To
identify future work areas for science, monitoring and management in
the Wadden Sea,
-
To
give recommendations for harmonization and adaptation of the
implementation of the EU Directives in the Wadden Sea.
Themes
to be addressed
-
The
dynamic Wadden Sea ecosystem versus a static threshold value
approach:
o
What do population trends, abundances or species composition really tell
us?
o
How to define scientifically sound conservation objectives and
assessment criteria?
o
How to deal with Neobiota?
-
Wadden Sea habitat management:
o
Habitat definition (a.o. reefs, sublittoral habitats)
o
Restoration in a dynamic environment (estuaries, de-embankments),
o
Examples of site management;
-
How
to integrate human use, nature conservation and EU Directives?
o
How to substantiate sustainability? (Economic and societal aspects, ICZM)
o
How to assess “cumulative effects of human activities”?
o
Examples of best practice.
-
Marine Strategy Directive: The Wadden Sea as a sub-region?
(Workshop)
Language
The symposium language is English. Simultaneous translation will not be
available.
For further information on the symposium please contact:
Mr. Harald Marencic
Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS)
Virchowstr. 1
D-26382 Wilhelmshaven
Phone: +49 (0)4421 9108 15
marencic@waddensea-secretariat.org
