NATURE 2000-sites WADDEN SEA AND NORTH SEA COASTAL ZONE

The Nature 2000-sites ‘Wadden Sea’ and ‘North Sea coast area’ are
protected under the Law on Nature Conservation. On the basis of that
law it is forbidden to carry out projects, activities of other acts of conduct
without a permit on the basis of that law or without compliance to the
conditions of such a permit, that can have a deteriorating effect on natural
habitats or the habitats of specific species or a significant disturbing
effect on species to which protection these areas are designated . Those
projects or acts are in any case those projects or acts of conduct that can
affect the natural specific features of such an area.

RULES ON BEHAVIOUR FOR THE BENEFIT OF NATURE
It is not allowed to disturb resting seals and resting or feeding birds. In
general, resting seals should not be approached closer than 1500 metres
and groups of birds not closer than 500 metres.
Keeping in mind the guidelines above, it is permitted to angle fish in the
fairways.
Dogs must be kept on the lead.

Move as a group of people and/or vessels and stay together.

CODE OF HONOUR FOR WADDEN SEA AFICIONADOS
Users of the intertidal mudflats along the Dutch Wadden Sea coast
must abide by a code of honour bearing the motto ‘I love the Wadden
Sea’. This code was formulated in 2003 by civil organisations and
governmental authorities in order to safeguard the natural assets in the
Wadden Sea Area.

The ‘Code of honour for Wadden Sea aficionados’ applies to anyone who
sails or walks on the Wad. Basic assumption of the Code of honour is
the responsibility and the insights of the Wadden Sea aficionados. This
code (June 2014) is drawn up and adopted under the responsibility of the
Tourist Consultation Wadden Sea Region.

If you respect the Code of honour:
-birds can eat and rest enough to stay healthy, breed and raise
enough young and gain enough fat reserves for the long migrations;
-seals can rest enough to stay healthy, to moult and to raise their
young;
-you can continue to enjoy the rich and unique nature in the last
Dutch wilderness, World Heritage Wadden Sea!

RULES:

Birds:
-Do not sail close to places where birds take refuge at high tide.
-Do not anchor near high-water refuges.
-Do not disembark until birds that forage along the water line have left.
-Do not approach groups of birds.
-Move as a group and do not spread out when hiking on the mudflats.
-Keep even more distance from large birds such as the curlew and spoonbill.
-Stay away from nesting birds and birds with nestlings and fledglings.
-Make sure you get back to your vessel in time without disturbing the
birds when the tide is rising.
-You will know you have come too close when the first birds take flight.

Seals:
-Do not sail close to banks where seals are resting.
-Do not anchor or beach near resting seals.
-Never walk towards seals.
-As soon as one seal raises its head, you are too close to the group.

Seamanship:
-Do not make a big wake when motoring.
-Do not sail faster than the legal speed of 20 km per hour (fast cruising
is only allowed in the buoyed channels between sea and ports
and in the ferry routes).
-Do not dump waste overboard.
-Do not play your music, radio, or VHF marine radio loud.
-Do not use bright lights unnecessarily.
-Keep your dog on a lead.
-Do not work on your vessel with paint, oil, diesel, or solvents.
-Do not fly kites. Birds might think that a kite is a bird of prey.
-Only fly kites in the designated kitesurf-areas. These are on the
nautical charts and are marked with buoys.
-Do not rev the engine unnecessarily when trying to get afloat.

And finally:
-First and foremost, practice good seamanship.
-Use up-to-date nautical charts.
-Avoid areas that are closed based upon Articles 2.5 and 2.10 of the
Law on Natura Conservation or other regulations.
-The captain is responsible for the behaviour of every person on board.
-Do not beach your boat at one spot for too long. The maximum stay
is two or three tides.
-When hiking on the mudflats, abide by the Provincial ‘Wadloop’
Regulation, also on hikes from a ship.
-Groups of eight or more persons are not allowed to stray further
than 500 metres from the vessel without permission.

For further details, see Netherlands Coast Pilot (HP1).

CLOSED AREAS
Certain smaller parts of the above mentioned Nature 2000-sites have
been completely or partially (in a specific time of the year or in regards
to certain acts of conduct) closed , on the basis of of the Law on Nature
Conservation (articles 2.5 and 2.10). These areas are designated as
‘Access Restricted Areas’ and function to protect specific protected species
or habitats (of species). The charts show in which parts of the year
certain areas are closed. The areas for example function as resting areas
for seals or constitute important areas for breeding, resting or feeding
birds. Most of these areas are closed during certain months only. Other
parts are closed all year round. Gullies in prohibited areas are marked by
yellow floating beacons. Because of the dynamics of the natural system,
positions of these beacons may differ from those charted. The actual
position of the beacons constitute the legal binding marking of the
restricted areas.

The specifics of the decrees that constitute these closed areas can be
found on: https://rwsnatura2000.nl

INFORMATION
For further information apply to the crew of one of the four patrol vessels
(Phoca, Krukel, Stormvogel or Harder), to the Ministry of Economic
Affairs: Direction of Nature and Biodiversity (Tel: 070 379 89 11) or to
the Provinces of Fryslân (Tel: 058 292 59 25) and Groningen (Tel: 050
316 49 11).

PSSA WADDEN SEA
The Wadden Sea and adjacent parts of the North Sea in the common
Wadden Sea area of Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands have
been granted the status of Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) by the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) as from 11 October 2002.
A particularly sensitive sea area is an area that needs special protection,
because of its vulnerability to damage caused by maritime activities.
Those operating in or near such an area should exercise the utmost care
to avoid such damage. No waste should be discharged overboard and no
damage should be inflicted to the marine environment and the marine
organisms living in it.