Summary
In 2019, the municipal council of Noardeast-Fryslân passed a motion that recognized the Wadden Sea as a special legal entity, stating “this gives the Wadden Sea its own legal place and identity in our society, just like a municipality, water board or company.” The motion also recognized the Wadden Sea is “a unique nature reserve in the Netherlands and the world, which deserves and justifies unique protection.” Via this motion, the municipal council requests “the Cabinet to urgently establish an independent management authority for the unique Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage nature reserve” and “to bring this motion to the attention of GS and the members of the Provincial Council of Fryslân, Groningen and North Holland with the request that they also support this call.”
The council expresses that the vulnerability of the Wadden Sea has been clearly demonstrated after a MSC Zoe container ship lost 345 containers in a storm. Toxic chemicals and litter covered the coastline of the sea. The council urged the cabinet to create an independent managing authority made up of various interest groups like island residents, nature conservationists, local authorities, entrepreneurs, coastline residents, and fishermen with its own power and resources.