Gemeinsames Wattenmeersekretariat

It was a great pleasure to co-organize the third DARKER SKY - Interreg North Sea Project partner meeting. The agenda included the assessment of projects progress but also a practical showcase of lighting solutions in the port of Norddeich and a study visit to Spiekeroog. We are looking foward to the next meeting in The Netherlands in March 2025! ⭐ Interreg North Sea Programme

🌍 Celebrating a Decade of Capacity Building along the East Atlantic Flyway 🎉 It's been ten years since the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative (#WSFI) launched its capacity-building and management programme, working mostly along the African part of the East Atlantic Flyway. Today, we're excited to share a new report authored by trainer, Tim Dodman. The vibrant report features: 🔹 Country project profiles, partner institutes and the people who took part 🔹 An overview of a decade of activities, projects, and workshops 🔹 The WSFI African East Atlantic Flyway Guide We’re thrilled to read stories and reflections from some of the incredible people and partners who have been part of this journey. Their insights bring to life what capacity building means on the ground. Enjoy the full report and join us in celebrating a decade of collaboration, learning, and conservation. https://lnkd.in/eqBFrjg5 🌿🐦 Wetlands International, BirdLife International, PRCM-Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation in West Africa, NCF Nigeria, Esther Nosazeogie, Camille TCHANKPAN, WWT 📷 T Dodman #CapacityBuilding #Conservation #EastAtlanticFlyway #WaddenSeaFlywayInitiative

🌊 New QSR on Wadden Sea Salt Marshes 🌊 The latest Wadden Sea Quality Status Report (QSR) reveals growth in salt marshes, now covering over 42,000 hectares. Despite this progress, challenges remain. Dr. Kelly Elschot from Wageningen University highlights issues like aging marshes and the spread of Sea Couch Grass, impacting biodiversity. Projects are underway to restore natural dynamics in artificial marshes, but balancing coastal protection with ecological health is complex. Explore these insights in the full report to see how we're shaping the future of Europe’s largest coastal salt marshes: https://lnkd.in/eS9vA4ez Kelly Elschot #WaddenSeaScience

📢 Calling all ocean scientists! The One Ocean Science Congress, organised by CNRS and Ifremer ahead of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (Nice, France, June 2025), is looking for abstracts on a wide range of ocean issues. Don't miss this opportunity to help shape the discussions on the future of our ocean happening at #UNOC3. 🗓️ Deadline: 14 November, 1pm CET. 👉 https://ow.ly/wuhJ50TNHn8

🦭 2024 Wadden Sea Harbour Seal Survey Highlights Long-term Decline 🦭 The 2024 annual harbour seal survey across the Wadden Sea gives us important insights and shows a decline in pup numbers and a complex population trend overall. While adult seal counts during the August moult rose by 5%, long-term numbers remain lower than a decade ago, reflecting possible ecological challenges. Report Highlights: 📉 Pup Numbers: 8,230 in 2024 (-12% from 2023)  - Largest decrease in Schleswig-Holstein (-19%)  - Only Denmark saw an increase (+14%)  📊 Total Seals During Moult: 23,772 (+5%) Dr. Anders Galatius of Aarhus University emphasises the importance of understanding survival and behaviour patterns in addressing these changes. As top marine predators, harbour seals play a crucial role in the Wadden Sea’s ecosystem, and their conservation under the Wadden Sea Seal Agreement (WSSA) remains vital. A recent workshop explored new ways of gathering data, with a focus on rehabilitated seals, to improve conservation approaches. 🌍 Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Trilateral Expert Group on Marine Mammals, we continue to learn more about protecting this charismatic species. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eb9er8Jg #HarbourSeals #WaddenSea #MarineMammalConservation #Biodiversity #WildlifeResearch

🚀 Reminder: Tender to work towards an assessment of the #Carbon #Sequestration potential of the Wadden Sea 🚀 The Common Wadden Sea Secretariat is inviting tenders for a consultant to review information on past, present and future carbon sequestration projects in the Wadden Sea. Based on an assessment of the methods used and parameters considered in these projects, the consultant shall provide recommendations for research and monitoring activities to assess the carbon sequestration potential of Wadden Sea habitats. Consultants are expected to be familiar with carbon sequestration methods and ideally have experience with relevant projects in the Wadden Sea. 🗓️ Deadline for proposals: 18 October #WaddenSea #carbon #CO2 #tender #saltmarshes #seagrass #sediments

Mauritania is the partner country of the 2024 'Migratory Bird Days' in Lower Saxony. At the opening ceremony in Wilhelmshaven, the director of the Parque National du Banc d'Arguin (PNBA), Mr Salihy Nami, and the scientific advisor Dr. Hacen El-Hacen introduced the audience to the beauty of the tidal flats of the Banc d'Arguin which during the northern winter harbours many of the migratory waterbirds that visit the Wadden Sea over the summer. The CWSS used this visit as an opportunity to exchange on ongoing activities in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding between the two World Heritage Sites und to make plans for future joint projects and activities, under the umbrella of the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative. #WSFI #PNBAxWaddenSea #Zugvogeltage #WMBD

Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day! 🐦⬛ 🎊 Tomorrow, we will honour the crucial role birds play in our natural heritage and ecosystems. They not only provide cultural and economic benefits but also help control pests and manage waste. However, the latest report indicates that 30% of breeding birds are in decline, with migratory species particularly impacted by agriculture and urbanisation. In our Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative, we have been working with partners along the East Atlantic Flyway to improve their protection for over a decade. Since 2023, the European Commission has been supporting Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands through the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) to monitor waterbird movements along the East Atlantic Flyway. Learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/ephhKFND Anne-Marie V Rasmussen Marco Brodde Nanou Beekman Miljøstyrelsen Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection

Tot onze grote spijt moeten we wederom melden dat er beelden zijn binnengekomen van mensen die geen afstand houden van een zeehond in het wild en zelfs de zeehond aanraken. Dit vinden we onacceptabel. ❗ Houd minimaal 30 meter afstand van een zeehond. Dit is niet alleen cruciaal voor het welzijn van de zeehond, maar ook voor je eigen veiligheid, die van je gezin en je hond. 👉 Zeehond in nood? Als je een zeehond ziet die hulp nodig heeft, neem dan direct contact op met de politie via 114 of bel het Zeehondencentrum op 0595 526 526. Dit nummer is 24/7 bereikbaar. -- We regret to inform you once again that footage has surfaced of people not keeping their distance from seals in the wild, and even touching the seals. This is unacceptable. ❗ Please keep at least 30 meters away from seals. This is not only crucial for the seal's well-being but also for your own safety, as well as that of your family and your dog. 👉 Seal in distress? If you see a seal that needs help, contact the police at 114 or call the Seal Center at +31595 526 526. This number is available 24/7.

🌍✨ The East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum 2024 is starting now ✨🌍 We’re excited to see young conservationists from coastal countries along the flyway come together to act for migratory waterbirds and coastal wetlands. This year’s focus? Citizen science! 🐦💧 Participants will: • Learn about the 10 principles of citizen science • Explore the scientific benefits of citizen science projects • Discover how to engage their communities effectively • Discuss inspiring youth-led citizen science projects Co-organizer: WWT & Youth Engaged in Wetlands The forum is about training, collaboration, and creating real impact for nature. We can’t wait to see what this incredible group of young conservationists will achieve🌿 📷 Rolf Salomonsen 📷 Katherina Greitemann #EAFYF2024 #FlywayConservation #CitizenScience #YouthConservation #BirdConservation #Wetlands #FutureLeaders #WSFI