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Win-win and the Wadden Sea region For years, the dominant image of the Wadden area was that of untouched nature where very little human activity is allowed to take place. This assertion was repeated like a mantra, and policy was made accordingly. IMSA started the project ‘Win-win and the Wadden Sea region’ and concluded, together with directors, scientists and various interest groups, that this image of an untouchable nature area is not correct. Even more so, the government policy based on this image was leading to deterioration rather than enrichment of the Wadden Sea nature: necessary investments in nature were omitted and the mussel and cockle fishers went about business as usual, despite strong evidence for the negative impact of their activities on the Wadden Sea. IMSA started the project ‘Win-win and the Wadden Sea region’ by interviewing some 50 Wadden professionals to get an overview of the problems and the available knowledge. This resulted in hypotheses about the best ways to stop the ecological deterioration. Science, NGOs and industry supported our hypothesis that the Wadden nature would further deteriorate without firm intervention, and that installation of a government commission was required. We subsequently submitted a number of widespread convictions to a critical review by means of another 200 interviews and media interventions (newspapers, television and radio). For lack of an integral ecological model to weigh all activities in the Wadden Sea against each other, IMSA developed the so-called Cascade model. On the basis of this model scientists expressed their views on the relative harmfulness of a great number of activities in the Wadden region during the so-called Fryske Akademy Council. Shell fishing featured among the relatively most harmful activities mentioned, while gas production (under controlled circumstances) was judged to be relatively innocuous. The Cabinet formed the Advice Group Wadden Sea Policy (also known as the Commission Meijer), to make recommendations about improvements in policy. The Commission got support from a team in which Jan Paul van Soest, Hein Sas and Tammo Oegema took part. IMSA’s preliminary work permitted fast realisation of a thorough report, which resulted in a paradigm shift regarding the combination of nature development and economic activities in a Natura 2000 area. Cabinet and Parliament accepted the new policy in 2007. Our poster summarises the information. Read the summary of the Cascade model report. For more information: Tammo Oegema Tel. +31 20 5787619 Back |
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About IMSA
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This video is about IMSA Amsterdam, our vision and our sources of inspiration. 
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