| No 7, 7 April 2000 |
| Information & Meetings | |
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What's new on the website |
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Conferences & events |
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New Coastal Publications |
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Courses |
| Organisations | |
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New Website Links |
| Development & Trends | |
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NGOs fight against off-shore drilling in the Atlantic |
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Damming the Ems Estuary raises concerns across borders |
| Policy | |
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Local population said "No" to Russian seaport |
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Sturgeon on agenda of CITES conference |
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Wanted: your ICZM experience! |
| Funds | |
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South East Europe will receive extra aid package |
| Information & Meetings |
New case studies in the Coastal Guide on Dune Management
The Dune Guide has been extended with nine case studies on natural dune processes and management in relation to sea defence, among them:
- A digital terrain model for the restoration of a foredune area on Terschelling, Dutch Wadden Sea
- Grazing and vegetation development in ‘Meijendel’, The Netherlands
- Pinewood control at the Desert of Anholt, Denmark
- Propagating dune grasses by cultivation in a nursery in Norderney, Germany
Check it out at http://www.coastalguide.org/dune
| May 11 - 13 | International Symposium “Legal aspects of integrated coastal zones management in the European Union”, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Info: fax: +33 3 21 99 43 91, e-mail: wadoux@univ-littoral.fr |
| May 22nd | The North West Coastal Conference "Challenges and Opportunities", Blackpool, Uk. Info: fax: +44 1253 476 201 or +44 1253 478226, e-mail: blackpoolbc.plgservices@dial.pipex.com |
| June 6th | Ports, Shipping and the Environment: Developing Practice, London, UK. Info: fax: +44 1531 890415, e-mail: bob.earll@coastms.co.uk, Conference website |
| June 15 - 17 | EUCC Workshop "Developing an Integrated Coastal Management Demonstration Programme for Central and Eastern Europe and Newly Independent States", Split, Croatia. "upon invitation only". Info: Carolina Pérez Valverde, fax: +31 71 5124069, e-mail: carolina@eucc.nl |
| Sept 11 - 13 | PROCOAST 2000 - Interregional seminar on the harmonisation of uses and interests in the Baltic Sea coastal zones", Eckernfoerde, Germany. Info: fax: +49 (0)431 988 5172, e-mail: matthias.hamann@landsh.de, Conference website |
| Oct 31 - Nov 3 | 10th International Scientific Wadden Sea Symposium "Callenges to the Wadden Sea Area", Groningen, The Netherlands. Info: e-mail: C.J.M.van.Berkel@lnvn.agro.nl, Conference website |
Please note:
The year 2000 overview of the Coastal Guide conference and event
meeting list can be found at http://www.coastalguide.org/meetings/
| The Atlas of European Mammals By
A.J. Mitchell-Jones ea. (1999, 484 pp.). Academic Press Ltd, Harcourt
Place, 32 Jamestown Road, London NW1 7BY, UK. Fax +44 20 7424 4253.
ISBN 0 85661 130 1. Price UK £ 37.50. |
| A Naturalist's Shetland By J. Laughton
Johnston (1999, 506 pp.). Academic Press Ltd, Harcourt Place, 32
Jamestown Road, London NW1 7BY, UK. Fax +44 20 7424 4253. ISBN 0
85661 105 0. Price UK £ 29.95. |
| Oiseaux nicheurs sur les côtes du Parc
National Langue de Barbarie et du Parc National du Sine-Saloum, Sénégal,
1998 Expedition (WIWO-report Nr.68) By Guido O. Keijl etc.
(2000, 77 pp.). Price NLG. 20.00 |
Courses
Virtual Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Science in Coastal Zone Management
This course aims to present a comprehensive study of the physical, biological
and cultural aspects of coasts as the foundation on which rational environmental
management should be based. On this basis it assesses current practice
in coastal zone management in Europe and beyond and seeks, through case
studies, to impart an understanding of current problems and potential
solutions. It also draws upon the latest innovations and developments,
and in particular, practical coastal zone management projects being undertaken
by the Coastal Studies Research Group of the School of Environmental Studies.
The course supports the Internet and CD-Rom technologies to deliver the
programme anywhere in the world. Modules may be studied on an individual
basis for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and/or personal interest.
http://www.ulst.ac.uk/faculty/science/crg/virtual/virt_msc2.htm
Processes in the coastal zone: links to management issues
Summer course co-funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci Programme from 3
to 14 July, 2000, in Bologna, Italy. Purpose: to update PhD and masters
degree students and young scientists on latest trends. For more information
contact ldavinci@area.bo.cnr.it
Course on ICZM – environmental and shoreline management aspects
Vocational training course in Horsholm, DK, for practitioners and managers
from 21 August to 4 October, 2000. Visit http://www.iczm.dhi.dk
Summer Institute in Coastal Management 2000
Intensive training for coastal management professionals at the University
of Rhode Island, USA, from May 29 to June 23, 2000. Please contact lsquill@gso.uri.edu
| Organisations |
New Website Links
Joint Oceanographic Institutions (JOI): managing worldwide cooperative research programs for the oceanographic community
Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI): nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding life in the sea by advancing the multidisciplinary science of marine conservation biology (USA)
Marine Law Institute: University of Maine School of Law, the research and public service component of the Ocean and Coastal Law Program (USA)
PANParks: (Protected Area Network) Parks, a network of nature reserves in Europe
Check out the other Website
Links on the Coastal Guide
| Development & Trends |
NGOs fight against off-shore drilling in the Atlantic
A group of UK based environmental NGOs - among them Greenpeace and Friends
of the Earth - sent an open letter to the British Deputy Prime Minister
John Prescott on 27 March urging him to prevent the drilling of three
new oil wells in the Atlantic Ocean west of Scotland. They fear that coral
reefs, whales and dolphins could be effected by oil exploration and argue
that not more fossil fuel but more renewable energy is needed in order
to secure jobs and meet climate gas reduction targets.
The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is of a different opinion:
“The development of the Atlantic Margin will be crucial to the long-term
future of the oil and gas Industry in the UK, preserving jobs, boosting
local economies and maintaining the country's energy supply”. And:
“Offshore oil and gas activities are subjected to extensive environmental
assessment and are strictly regulated by European and UK legislation.
The regulations that are already in place to protect the environment more
than meet the requirements of the Habitats Directive.” However,
as a result of the High Court ruling of last November, all UK oil licensing
is illegal until appropriate protection is provided under the European
Habitats Directive. The environmental groups say this is not yet the case
and accuse the UK Department of Trade and Industry of having given consent
to the drilling too quickly.
Greenpeace, http://www.greenpeace.org.uk
UKOOA, http://www.oilandgas.org.uk/
e-mail: toreilly@ukooa.co.uk,
Damming the Ems Estuary raises concerns across borders
Until
today, almost 20 objections and five urgent complaints by German and Dutch
environmental groups, companies, and private persons have been filed against
the project to dam the Ems Estuary in the German Region ("Land") of Lower
Saxony. The latest objection was submitted only weeks ago but construction
work is continuing.
Germany's three largest environmental NGOs, WWF Germany, BUND (Friends
of the Earth) and NABU have launched a campaign against the dam which
they claim will have great ecological impact on the ecosystem 'Ems Estuary’
and the Wadden Sea while economically and environmentally acceptable alternatives
exist. The estuary is part of the Natura 2000 Network because of its international
value for birds and its wetlands. The dam would change tidal dynamics,
salt- and oxygen-contents, and violate both national and international
environmental law (e.g. Bird and Habitat Directives).
The shipyard ‘Meyerwerft’ has most to gain from the dam as it is the precondition
for building bigger ships. The second argument for the dam - coastal protection
- is a fake one, claim the NGOs. They say that elevating the dikes could
be a cheap and efficient alternative (costs: 53 million DM according to
a WWF study as compared to 335 million DM for the construction of the
dam). The alternative would free resources for other urgent measures of
coastal protection on the coast of Lower Saxony.
The regional government of Lower Saxony started the planning procedure
for the dam in 1997. The local government of Weser-Ems District approved
the project in August 1998. The dam will be situated between the German
towns of Gandersum and Nendorp to change currents during high tides and
dam up the river. This will make it possible for the Meyerwerft to transport
ships till a draught of 8.5 m to the open sea.
The WWF study is being sharply criticised by German government agencies
which say that predictions on changes of salt-content and its consequences
on flora and fauna are exaggerated. Furthermore, the lobby group ‘Pro
Sperrwerk’ tries to prove that the majority of local people supports
the dam as memories of past floods and connected casualties like the ones
in 1994 are still alive and the possible loss of 10.000 jobs related to
the shipyard dominates public debates. However, according to a public
opinion poll conducted by the acclaimed EMNID institute, 87% of the local
public rejects the dam.
http://www.comlink.apc.org/bund/presse
http://www.ems-sperrwerk.de
http://www.pro-sperrwerk.de
http://www.wwf.de/c_kampagnen/c_ems/c_ems_info.html
| Policy |
Local population said "No" to Russian seaport
Due to the socio-economic crisis Russia is struggling with today, environmental protection is rarely given priority or high up on the political agenda . All the more remarkable is the result of a referendum held in Gelendzhik, a Russian Black Sea town near Krasnodar. The poll was conducted in conjunction with the presidential elections on March 26. Nearly 89 % of the voters were against the planned cargo seaport construction in their community. Local NGOs claim that the environmental impact assessment of the project was done in a biased way and reject the port on environmental grounds. Another major argument is the possible impact on tourism and the health sector which makes up more than 35% of the region's economy, a concern shared by public, business, local and regional auhorities. More information: Independent Ecological Service on North West Caucasus, ies@mail.ru.
Sturgeon on agenda of CITES conference
The Parties of CITES, the Convention on international trade in endangered
species of wild fauna and flora, have put a draft resolution to curb poaching
of and illegal trade with caviar on the agenda of their eleventh meeting
from 10 to 20 April in Kenya. All species of sturgeon and paddlefish are
included in Appendix 1 or II of CITES. The draft prepared by the Secretariat
on the basis of a document developed by the Animals Committee, recommends
to introduce a uniform marketing system for any container or consignment
of more than 250 g of caviar entering international trade based on the
application of non-reusable labels. The same information on the label
is to be included in the export permit or re-export certificate. The Parties
should be urged to establish a registration or licensing system for caviar
importers, exporters and re-exporters.
http://www.wcmc.org.uk:80/CITES/eng/index.shtml
The European Commission, DG Environment, has commissioned an independent
evaluation of the socio-economic costs and benefits that can be expected
from a more integrated approach to coastal development and management.
The results will contribute to the European Commission’s ICM strategy.
The contractor of this assigment is searching for ICZM project managers
inside and outside the EU, who are willing to share their experience and
insights. Please contact Derek McGlashan, Derek.mcglashan@strath.ac.uk
| Funds |
South East Europe will receive extra aid package
During the Regional Funding Conference for South East Europe on 29 and
30 March, international aid donors pledged 2.4 billion EUR for reconstruction
and development activities in the region. 19.55 million EUR are requested
for the environmental sector, 1.55 million for public administration and
1.25 million for local government. Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Slovenia, Switzerland and the European Commission have expressed their
interest in contributing to environmental projects. The overall aim of
this aid package is to promote regional cooperation, upgrade infrastructure,
promote trade, encourage investment, protect human rights, tackle corruption
and boost security.
http://www.seerecon.org
Deadline for submitting contributions to Coastal Guide News No 8:
Wednesday, 19 April 2000
COASTAL GUIDE NEWS is a biweekly newsletter published by the European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC) with financial support of Stichting DOEN, the foundation of the Dutch lottery "Postcode Loterij" and the Department of International Nature Affairs of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries. For free subscriptions, comments or contributions to this newsletter, please contact news@coastalguide.org.
Members of the Coastal Guide News editorial team: Erik Devilee,
P.J. van der Hulst, Irene Lucius, René van Oers, Christina
Seidenstücker and Albert Salman.
Established in 1989, the European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC)
is an association involving the largest coastal network in Europe with
750 members and member organisations in 40 countries. For more information
please contact EUCC International Secretariat, POBox 11232, NL-2301 EE
Leiden, the Netherlands, tel.: +31-71-5122900, internet: http://www.eucc.nl
© European Union for Coastal Conservation