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Trilateral Wadden Sea Plan Eighth Trilateral
Governmental Conference
on the Protection of the
Wadden SeaStade, Germany,
October 22, 1997
4 Tidal Area The tidal area covers all tidal flats and subtidal areas. The border of the North Sea side is determined by an artificial line between the tips of the islands. The borders to the estuaries are determined by the average 10‰ isohaline at high water in the winter situation (Leeuwarden Declaration Annex I).
The tidal area is the most characteristic habitat of the Wadden Sea. It is characterized by an ever changing pattern of plates and gullies. At low tide, the tidal flats cover about two thirds of the tidal area. The tidal flats of the Wadden Sea form the largest unbroken stretch of mudflats in the world.
Status As a result of the daily tides and the open connection with the North Sea, the tidal area is a very dynamic area.
Characteristic biological features of the tidal area are, amongst others, mussel beds, Sabellaria reefs and Zostera fields. The tidal area is subject to natural impacts like ice winters, strong gales, changes in average temperature, visibility and parasites. Additionally, there is the influence of Man through, amongst others, fisheries, dredging, offshore activities and coastal protection measures.
At low tide, the tidal flats are important feeding, roosting and/or moulting areas for birds and seals. The high biological productivity of the tidal area is, also, in part, the basis for shellfish fisheries and mussel cultures.
Next to fisheries, recreation is an important activity in the tidal area; the main recreational activities are mudflat walking and boating.
Parts of the tidal areas constitute the seaward access to harbors. Management of these marine navigation routes is in the interest of the public and is regulated nationally.
Targets A natural dynamic situation in the tidal area.
An increased area of geomorphologically and biologically undisturbed tidal flats and subtidal areas.An increased area and a more natural distribution and development of natural mussel beds, Sabellaria reefs and Zostera fields.
Viable stocks and a natural reproduction capacity, including juvenile survival, of the Common Seal and the Grey Seal.
Favorable conditions for migrating and breeding birds.
Assessment The natural dynamics of the tidal area have been considerably influenced by land reclamation and the construction of dikes and other coastal defence works. These have caused a substantial reduction of the volume of the tidal basin. Also, the dredging of shipping lanes, sand extraction and natural gas extraction influence the natural dynamics in the tidal area.
The tidal area is a sediment importing system and has, therefore, been able to compensate for the subsidence of the sea bottom. The sea level rise caused by the greenhouse effect will most probably increase the sediment importing demands. The exploitation of natural gas in and around the Wadden Sea area, causes an additional subsidence of the sea floor and aggravates the effects of sea level rise. The extraction of sand from the Wadden Sea for commercial purposes also has a negative effect on the sand balance. There is an important link with the offshore zone because sand is imported from this area. This will affect the sandy coast of the islands which will become steeper.
Also important for the sand balance in the Wadden Sea, is the water circulation pattern which, in turn, has been, and still is, influenced by land reclamation and coastal defence activities.
There are indications that embankments and the shortening of the coastline have decreased the amount of available fine sediments and the possibilities for the sedimentation of fine sediments.Several human activities, especially cockle and mussel fisheries, dredging and sand and shell extraction, disturb the sediment. This may cause temporal or structural changes in the sediment morphology and biology, a reduction of sediment stability, and an increased turbidity of the water column. Mussel culture can have large effects on the habitat structure of subtidal and intertidal areas.
Disturbance may interfere with the normal behavior of animals. The actual impact depends on the level and duration of the disturbance and the period in which it occurs. Human uses which cause disturbance, and for which trilateral political agreements have been adopted, are fisheries, hunting, recreation, shipping, civil air traffic, military activities, mineral extraction and the generation of energy.
A characteristic feature of the Wadden Sea tidal area is its high biological productivity which is the main reason for the fact that the Wadden Sea is an important nursery area for North Sea fish and for the high numbers of breeding and migrating birds which feed in the area. Shellfish fisheries may interfere with the normal food availability of certain bird species. This interference may have consequences for the food availability in years with low shellfish stocks.
In the last decade, a serious decrease in the numbers and size of mature mussel beds has occurred, mainly in the Dutch and Lower Saxony part of the Wadden Sea. Fishing for seed mussels is an important factor in this decline, but also, ice winters and storms play a role.
It is unclear what the main causes for the decline in Sabellaria reefs and seegrass meadows have been.
How to proceed In the framework of the trilateral cooperation, a large number of measures to counteract the negative effects of human presence in the area and the exploitation of natural and mineral resources has been agreed upon.
In light of the expected sea level rise resulting from the greenhouse effect, additional or amended policies are desirable for the management of the tidal basin. Such policies must be carefully tuned with those concerning the dynamic situation in the offshore area, beaches and dunes, salt marshes and estuaries.
Furthermore a better management of characteristic tidal area communities, especially wild mussel beds, Zostera fields and Sabellaria reefs is necessary for a proper implementation of the relevant Targets.
The management of seals in the tidal area is covered by the Seal Management Plan. This plan will be amended and updated at regular intervals.
4.1 Trilateral policy and management Natural dynamics and coastal protection
4.1.1 Because the natural dynamics in the tidal area are directly related to coastal defence activities on the mainland coast, the islands and the offshore zone, future coastal protection policies will, as a principle, be based on these interrelationships.
4.1.2 Embankments of tidal areas will, as a principle, be prohibited and the loss of biotopes through sea defence measures minimized. Reinforcement of existing dikes will be carried out on the location of existing dikes and, preferably, on the land side. (Reference to 3.1.7).
4.1.3 Permission for small-scale modifications of jetties, piers and other infrastructural works along the Wadden Sea coast shall only be given after a careful review of all interests.
4.1.4 Permission for new permanent structures, which may influence the natural dynamics in the tidal area of the Conservation Area, will not be granted unless for imperative reasons of overriding public interest and if no alternative can be found.
Permission for new permanent structures, which are likely to have significant effects on the natural dynamics in the tidal area outside the Conservation Area, will only be granted after having been made subject to an assessment in accordance with the EC Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment.
All construction shall be carried out in such a way that the environmental impact is kept to a minimum and permanent, or long lasting, effects are avoided and, if this is not possible, compensated.Shipping, harbors and industrial facilities
4.1.5 The extension, or major modification, of existing harbor and industrial facilities and new construction shall be carried out in such a way that the environmental impact is kept to a minimum and permanent, or long lasting, effects are avoided and, if this is not possible, compensated. In the Conservation Area, new not yet approved plans for new construction, as well as for the extension or major modification of existing harbor and industrial facilities, are not allowed unless such is necessary for imperative reasons of overriding public interest and if no alternative can be found. (Identical with 6.1.1).
4.1.6 Shipping routes and harbors are to be managed for their intended purposes; in doing so, negative impacts should be avoided, as far as possible.
Navigation dredging operations should aim at allowing natural processes to run their course, as far as possible.4.1.7 New shipping routes to the harbors and the Wadden Sea islands will, in principle, not be dredged unless the present routes threaten to disappear.
4.1.8 Shipping links across the water shed(3) and other routes exist by virtue of natural dynamics. For such routes, in principle, no dredging operations will be carried out.
4.1.9 Speed limits within the tidal area have been, or will be, imposed where such is deemed necessary.
(3) Watershed is translated in Danish into "vandskel", in German into "Wattrücken" and in Dutch into "wantij"
Mineral extraction and infrastructure
4.1.10 In the Conservation Area, new exploitation installations for oil and gas will not be permitted.
Exploration activities are permitted within the Conservation Area if it is reasonably plausible that deposits can be exploited from outside the Conservation Area. Net loss of nature value must be prevented. Therefore, exploration activities will be regulated in space and time. Associated studies, mitigation and compensation measures should be carried out where appropriate.4.1.11 The extraction of sand in the Conservation Area will be limited to the dredging and maintenance of shipping lanes. This sand can be used for, inter alia, sea defence purposes. In specific cases, sand may also be extracted for sea defence purposes.
The extraction of sand in the Wadden Sea Area outside the Conservation Area should make maximum use of sand generated by the maintenance of shipping lanes. It should be carried out in such a way that the environmental impact is kept to a minimum and permanent, or long lasting, effects are avoided and, if this is not possible, compensated.4.1.12 Permits for small scale extractions of sand will remain in force. Small scale extractions of mud and sea water for medical purposes will remain permitted.
4.1.13 The construction and planning of pipelines shall be such that the environmental impact on the Wadden Sea ecosystem is kept to a minimum and permanent, or long lasting, negative impacts are avoided, and if this is not possible, compensated. In the Conservation Area, new licenses for the construction of pipelines in the tidal area for the transport of gas and oil shall not be issued unless such measures are necessary for imperative reasons of overriding public interest and if no alternative can be found. (Reference to 3.1.16).
4.1.14 Infrastructural works which are necessary for the supply of the islands and the Halligen with, amongst others, gas, water and electricity, or other utilities, shall be carried out in a way that the environmental impact on the Wadden Sea is kept to a minimum and permanent, or long lasting, impacts are avoided. (Identical with 3.1.15).
Dredged material
4.1.15 The impact of dumping dredged materials will be minimized. Criteria are, amongst others, appropriate dumping sites and/or dumping periods. (Identical with 6.1.3).
Mussel and cockle fishery
4.1.16 The negative effects of cockle fishery are being limited by:
- Cockle fishery is not allowed in the German part of the Conservation Area;
- Cockle fishery is not allowed in the Danish part of the Wadden Sea Area, with the exception of some small areas along the Esbjerg shipping lane and in the Ho Bay;
- Cockle fishery is allowed in the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea Area, but has been limited by the permanent closure of considerable areas; there are possibilities for additional restrictions to safeguard food for birds. A co-management scheme with the fishing industry is in operation, in which the protection and enhancement of the growth of wild mussel beds and Zostera fields are central elements. (Identical with 9.1.3).4.1.17 The negative effects of mussel fishery are limited by the permanent closure of considerable areas. In addition, the management of fishery on mussels aims at, inter alia, protecting and enhancing the growth of wild mussel beds and Zostera fields. (Identical with 9.1.4).
4.1.18 Mussel fishery will, in principle, be limited to the subtidal area. Based on national management plans, which are documented in the Progress Report, fishery on the tidal flats may be granted. The fishery sector is called upon to exchange information on the existing practices and to investigate possibilities for minimizing impacts of mussel fishery, in general and seed mussel fishery, in particular. (Identical with 9.1.5).
4.1.19 The current area of mussel culture lots will not be enlarged.
4.1.20 The existing permit for oyster culture will remain in force for traditional reasons. According to this permit, the imported oysters originate from hatcheries and are under veterinary control. New permits will not be granted.
Tourism and recreation
4.1.21 The recreational values of the Wadden Sea will be maintained and to this end,
- in the ecologically most sensitive areas, zones have been or will be established where no recreational activities, including excursion ships and recreational boating, is allowed;
- the use of jet skis, water skis and similar motorized equipment has been, or will be, prohibited, or limited, to small designated areas;
- within the Conservation Area, new marinas will be avoided and the extension of the existing marina capacity will only be allowed within the approved levels;
- wind surfing has been, or will be, limited.4.1.22 Speed limits for ships have been, or will be, imposed, if this is deemed necessary, taking into account safety, environmental and recreational factors.
4.1.23 The negative effects of hovercraft and hydrofoil craft and other high-speed craft are minimized by the following strategies:
- In The Netherlands and Germany, hovercraft and hydrofoil craft are forbidden in the tidal area of the Conservation Area; new, other high speed craft are forbidden outside the designated shipping routes in the area;
- In Denmark, applications for new, high-speed craft can only be granted on the basis of an Environmental Impact Assessment and if it is not in conflict with the nature protection targets for the area.4.1.24 It is the aim to reduce disturbance caused by recreation and tourism by introducing and applying information systems and/or temporal and spatial zoning.
4.2 Trilateral projects and actions 4.2.1 A study into the possible effects of enhanced sea level rise by a Trilateral Expert Group to be established under the coordination responsibility of the competent authorities and, on the basis of these studies, the development of proposals for future integrated coastal defence and nature protection policies. (Identical with 3.2.1, 5.2.2 and 7.2.1).
4.2.2 The development of strategies for the protection and enhancement of Zostera and Sabellaria on the basis of existing and new knowledge, in view of the not yet completely understood decline of these species.
4.2.3 The investigation of possibilities and conditions for enhancing the growth of natural mussel and cockle beds, Sabellaria reefs and Zostera fields.
4.2.4 The investigation of the impact of shrimp fisheries on the bottom fauna.
4.2.5 A study into the shell production in the total system, up to three nautical miles seaward of the islands, to obtain information on natural recruitment of shells, on the basis of which new quota for sustainable shell extraction will be fixed.
4.2.6 An invitation to the Permanent Dutch-German Transboundary Waters Commission to make progress, within their mandate, in elaborating a specific action plan for the Ems Dollard estuary.
4.2.7 An inventory and evaluation of national practices regarding the dredging of shipping routes.
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