Themes
Clean shipping
The North Sea is one of the busiest seas in the world. Ships either stop at Dutch ports or pass through the North Sea on their way to other destinations. For the Netherlands, shipping is a vital economic factor. Of all of the trade in goods transported to and from the Netherlands (430 million tonnes per year), approximately 50% is shipped by ocean-going vessels. On a global level, this number is even higher: 90% of all goods are transported by ship. At the same time, shipping has negative consequences, for example discharge of waste and oil. Politicians, shipping companies, shipbuilders, ports and market parties should all devote themselves to promoting a clean shipping industry.
Pure Fishing
Traditionally, the North Sea is an area which is fished intensively. Before the Second World War, fishing vessels remained close to the coast; the catches were good. However, as the ships became larger, the fishing equipment got heavier and fishermen started specialising in catching certain species of fish, overfishing grew along with these developments. The fishery stocks in the entire North Sea have come under pressure. The quantities of bycatch are enormous and the damage fishing equipment causes to animals living on the seabed is tremendous. In order to be able to continue to eat fresh fish from the North Sea in the future, the tide must be turned!
Spatial planning
The North Sea may appear empty, but it isn’t. The North Sea is used very intensively by fisheries, shipping companies, offshore industry, sand extraction companies, and for military and recreational activities. Due to a shortage of space on land, people quickly turn to the sea for the exploitation of new activities. Examples include wind energy, Port extension projects, and CO2 storage facilities. The use of the sea area is organised on a sectoral basis. This is normally evaluated on the basis of the activity or area, but the ecosystem of the North Sea as a whole is hardly ever taken into account in the process. Moreover, the space in the sea is becoming increasingly scarcer. This calls for well-coordinated spatial planning policies which place the main focus on the nature in the North Sea.
Nature protection
The North Sea is a unique area with a great variety of species and biological productivity. Activities such as shipping, fisheries and sand extraction all use this natural area intensively. And new activities emerge all the time. This intensive use has changed the North Sea. It is no longer what it used to be, full of fish, with a varied sea floor and abundant in life. This is why we believe that the areas characterised by rich sea floor life and other nature values deserve better protection. Unique animal species also live in the North Sea such as porpoises, sharks and rays, all of which demand specific, species-oriented protection.
The North Sea and you
Many Dutch people enjoy the hidden treasures the North Sea has to offer. Whether this means enjoying fresh fish from the local fish shop, a day at the beach for a refreshing stroll, or engaging in their favourite water sport. 89% Of people in the Netherlands are convinced that the North Sea plays an important role in the Dutch way of life. In spite of this, the North Sea still has an image of being a grey, boring sea. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Beneath the waves of the North Sea, an amazing world may be found, one full of sea life, with various species of dolphins, fish and colourful anemones.