Wadden Sea Agreement
Encyclopedia
Agreement on the Conservation of Seals in the Wadden Sea is an agreement between Wadden Sea
countries, aimed at protection of seals and concluded in the aegis of Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in 1990.
Common seals, or harbor seal
s, are nearly threatened true seal species, inhabiting temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern hemisphere.
They are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as those of the Baltic and North Seas.
Harbor seals are brown, tan, or gray, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. An adult can attain a length of 1.85 meters (6.1 ft) and a mass of 132 kilograms (290 lbs). Females outlive males (30–35 years versus 20–25 years). Harbor seals stick to familiar resting spots, generally rocky areas where land predators can't reach them, near a steady supply of fish to eat.
Their global population is 400,000 to 500,000, and subspecies in certain habitats are threatened. Seal hunting, once a common practice, is now mostly illegal.
, there was a dramatic decline in the population of the Common Seal.
The Agreement on Conservation of Seals was signed on 16 October 1990 in Bonn, Germany. It entered into force on 1 October 1991, and population has recovered significantly since then. In 2002, however, the same virus caused another population decline in the North Sea
, the Wadden Sea and Kattegat
/Skagerrak
area.
, Germany
and Denmark
. The Agreement area includes:
In the Netherlands - the areas under Key planning Decision Wadden Sea.
In Germany- the Wadden Sea national parks and the protected areas under the Nature Conservation Act seaward of the main dike and the brackish water limit including the Dollard
In Denmark- the Wildlife and Nature Reserve Wadden Sea.
The Secretariat of the Agreement is located in Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
The plan is aimed at the Wadden Sea stock of the Common seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) and is also extended to cover the two breeding stocks of the Grey seal
(Helichoerus grypus) in the Wadden Sea (Grey Seal is not covered by the Agreement). The overall aim of the plan is to restore and maintain viable stocks and a natural reproduction capacity, including juvenile survival of the Common and Grey seal.
The Plan seeks a balance between conservation and management of the area, and contributing to achieving viable stocks.
Wadden Sea
The Wadden Sea is an intertidal zone in the southeastern part of the North Sea. It lies between the coast of northwestern continental Europe and the range of Frisian Islands, forming a shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands. It is rich in biological diversity...
countries, aimed at protection of seals and concluded in the aegis of Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in 1990.
Seals
Harbor Seal
The harbor seal , also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere...
s, are nearly threatened true seal species, inhabiting temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern hemisphere.
They are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as those of the Baltic and North Seas.
Harbor seals are brown, tan, or gray, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. An adult can attain a length of 1.85 meters (6.1 ft) and a mass of 132 kilograms (290 lbs). Females outlive males (30–35 years versus 20–25 years). Harbor seals stick to familiar resting spots, generally rocky areas where land predators can't reach them, near a steady supply of fish to eat.
Their global population is 400,000 to 500,000, and subspecies in certain habitats are threatened. Seal hunting, once a common practice, is now mostly illegal.
History
In 1988, due to an outbreak of the phocine distemper virusPhocine distemper virus
Phocine distemper virus is a paramyxovirus of the genus morbillivirus that is pathogenic for pinniped species, particularly seals. Clinical signs include laboured breathing, fever and nervous symptoms....
, there was a dramatic decline in the population of the Common Seal.
The Agreement on Conservation of Seals was signed on 16 October 1990 in Bonn, Germany. It entered into force on 1 October 1991, and population has recovered significantly since then. In 2002, however, the same virus caused another population decline in the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
, the Wadden Sea and Kattegat
Kattegat
The Kattegat , or Kattegatt is a sea area bounded by the Jutland peninsula and the Straits islands of Denmark on the west and south, and the provinces of Västergötland, Scania, Halland and Bohuslän in Sweden on the east. The Baltic Sea drains into the Kattegat through the Øresund and the Danish...
/Skagerrak
Skagerrak
The Skagerrak is a strait running between Norway and the southwest coast of Sweden and the Jutland peninsula of Denmark, connecting the North Sea and the Kattegat sea area, which leads to the Baltic Sea.-Name:...
area.
Agreement area and members
The Agreement was concluded between the NetherlandsNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. The Agreement area includes:
In the Netherlands - the areas under Key planning Decision Wadden Sea.
In Germany- the Wadden Sea national parks and the protected areas under the Nature Conservation Act seaward of the main dike and the brackish water limit including the Dollard
In Denmark- the Wildlife and Nature Reserve Wadden Sea.
The Secretariat of the Agreement is located in Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
The Seal Management Plan (2002 – 2006)
The Seal Management Plan (2002-2006) contains objectives and action points on habitat protection, research and monitoring, pollution and wardening, taking and public information.The plan is aimed at the Wadden Sea stock of the Common seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) and is also extended to cover the two breeding stocks of the Grey seal
Grey Seal
The grey seal is found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a large seal of the family Phocidae or "true seals". It is the only species classified in the genus Halichoerus...
(Helichoerus grypus) in the Wadden Sea (Grey Seal is not covered by the Agreement). The overall aim of the plan is to restore and maintain viable stocks and a natural reproduction capacity, including juvenile survival of the Common and Grey seal.
The Plan seeks a balance between conservation and management of the area, and contributing to achieving viable stocks.
See also
- Harbor sealHarbor SealThe harbor seal , also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere...
- List of environmental agreements
- Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
- Marine Protected AreaMarine Protected AreaMarine Protected Areas, like any protected area, are regions in which human activity has been placed under some restrictions in the interest of conserving the natural environment, it's surrounding waters and the occupant ecosystems, and any cultural or historical resources that may require...