__________________________________________________________________________ Agenda Item: 5.2 Subject: Regulation of kite surfing in different areas of the Wadden Sea Document No. WSB 17/5.2/3 Date: 16 June 2016 Submitted by: Secretariat __________________________________________________________________________ Proposal: The meeting is invited to take note of the regulation of kite surfing in the different areas of the Wadden Sea. Wadden Sea Board WSB 17 22 June 2016 Tönning
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__________________________________________________________________________ Agenda Item: 5.2 Subject: Regulation of kite surfing in different areas of the Wadden Sea Document No. WSB 17/5.2/3 Date: 16 June 2016 Submitted by: Secretariat __________________________________________________________________________ Proposal: The meeting is invited to take note of the regulation of kite surfing in the
different areas of the Wadden Sea.
Wadden Sea Board
WSB 17 22 June 2016
Tönning
WSB 17/5.2/3 2
1. Background At WSB 16, CWSS was given the task to compile information from all states / regions about the regulations in place regarding kite surfing and its negative influence on birds. CWSS received input from Denmark, Lower Saxony and the Netherlands. 2. Regulation in the different countries / regions 2.1 Denmark Currently, kite surfing is allowed in three zones in the Danish part of the Wadden Sea (two on the islands, one on the mainland). The Nature Agency is providing information about the zones and the restrictions to visitors. Signs on the islands and at the coast provide information about the restrictions. Furthermore, leaflets exist in both Danish and German. The following links show the exact delimitations of the kitesurfing zones: http://naturstyrelsen.dk/media/nst/67612/vadehavet_A4.pdf http://naturstyrelsen.dk/media/nst/65552/Vadehavet.pdf. The executive order of the nature and wildlife reserve Wadden Sea is currently being revised. When this process is completed, more accurate and targeted information will be made available online. The national park is also working on a code of conduct for the public on the topic of best behavior in the Wadden Sea.
2.2 Lower Saxony Kite surfing in the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park is governed by federal as well as federal state legislation pertaining to the use and management of waterways on the one hand and nature conservation on the other. In accordance with the Federal Waterways Act (WaStrG), the Federal State of Lower Saxony has passed an Ordinance regarding traffic on Federal Waterways within North Sea National Parks (NPNordSBEfV) according to which traffic within the National Park needs to be conducted in such a way that fauna is not being harmed or disturbed to an extent that exceeds the strictly necessary. Moreover, at low tide, traffic is required to stay within the borders of the navigation channels. Nature conservation-related regulations are, moreover, contained in the Law on the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park (NWattNPG), according to which the use of kites, including kites flown from a vehicle and, therefore, kite surfing is prohibited in the resting and intermediate zones of the National Park. Since 2007, it is possible to grant exemptions insofar as this does not run counter to the National Park´s objective of nature protection. In this context, it needs to be assessed to what extent an exemption complies with the EU Habitats Directive. Important criteria for the selection of areas in which kite surfing may be permitted include the distance to areas with a critical importance for breeding and migratory birds (such as high-tide resting areas), for seals or harbour porpoises or for other species or habitat types of importance in the National Park. The full description (in German) of the regulation of kite surfing in the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park can be found in the Annex.
2.3 Netherlands Kitesurfing is not allowed in the Dutch Wadden Sea as stipulated in the so-called 'Binnenvaart Politie Reglement´ (Police Regulation of Inland Navigation; BPR art. 9.05). However, the Ministry of Infrastructure & Environment is entitled to make exemptions in conformity with par. 3 of the aforementioned BPR-art 9.05, and to designate certain areas where kite surfing is allowed. 5 locations have been designated in the Wadden Sea where kitesurfing is allowed during daytime: 3 locations on 3 different islands, and 2 locations at the mainland coast. The locations can be found under the following link: waddenzee.nl/bezoeken/watersport/kitesurfen/. The exact zones are marked with beacons with the word “KITE” written on them. Kite surfers need to stay within the marked zones.
