Ecomare

Sea currents and the resulting transportation of sand and mud at sea will only be disrupted by large-scale sand exploitation in deep pits. This is not taking place momentarily, however there are plans in this direction (exploiting concrete sand in the North Sea). Current patterns along the coast (the 'coastal river') can be disturbed due to the construction of the Second Maas Plain, maintenance of piers and channels, coastal defence works and, in a limited manner, from fisheries.
The suggested scales for these goals are summerized in the underlying table.

The quality of the ecosystem in the delta waters is particularly under pressure due to continuing high concentrations of contaminated materials in the Schelde water. The concentrations of nutrients is also too high, which can lead to blossoms of toxic or plague algae. Furthermore, cockle fisheries forms a threat for the bird populations and the shellfish farming brings risks of introducing system-foreign species into the delta waters (as happened with the Pacific oyster in past decades). The construction of the Second Maasvlakte means a major intervention on the existing intertidal region.
In the large tidal waters of the Delta, the tide has been tremendously tempered by the Delta Works. Increase in the difference between high and low tide (the fall) could lead to a large increase in the areal of exposed banks.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

Reaching this goal is hindered in particular by the continuing high supply of nutrients to seawater. The blossoming of non-toxic organisms, such as phaeocystis and Noctiluca scintillans can cause disorder in the ecosystem locally. Blossoming of toxic algae, such as dinophysis brings dangers for all plankton consumers, but especially for man (via shellfish). New toxic algae can end up in the North Sea ecosystem via ballast water from ships. Furthermore, one expects so much turbidity from large-scale sand exploitation that it will influence the plankton.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

The benthic fauna in the North Sea suffers in particular from beam trawl fisheries with tickler chains. Long-living animal species, such as the quahog and the red whelk, are declining rapidly in areas where intensive flatfish fisheries take place. Other shellfish, echinoderms, crabs, lobsters and benthic fish are also disappearing to make room for a fauna consisting mostly of worms. In addition, the benthic fauna is also influenced by pollution. Eutrophication in particular can lead to disturbances or a different composition of the fauna.
The construction of the Second Maasvlakte means the disappearance of a large surface area of biotopes in a shallow coastal zone.
Oil and gas exploitation platforms have a positive effect on the benthic fauna indirectly. There is a safety zone of a radius of 500 meters around every installation, in which shipping, fisheries and activities such as sand extraction is not allowed. In these zones, the benthic fauna is not disturbed as much than elsewhere at sea. Locally, the discharge of drilling mud can lead to disturbance.
(Future) wind parks and possible placement of transmitting installations will also be surrounded by a safety zone which is favorable for benthic fauna.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

The safety zone around offshore platforms and wind energy parks is also a refuge for benthic fish. Pollution from the offshore and shipping can form a threat. Gravel excavation is damaging for species that lay their eggs on gravel substrates (such as herring)
The fisheries has a major influence on the fish populations. The target species threaten to be overfished and unintended by-catch species, such as sharks and rays, have declined strongly in number. Sharks and rays are also sensitive to electromagnetic fields which are generated by electricity and telephone cables.
The construction of the Second Maasvlakte will probably have a significant effect on the migration of fish larvae to the nursery in the Wadden Sea, due to repositioning the coastal river.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

Lighted drilling platforms can have negative effects on migrating birds. Birds can also be victims of gas flames during burn off of gas which is released during trial drills. Even more serious is the risks of discharges from mineral and vegetable oil from shipping.
The fisheries have positive as well as negative influence on birds. A number of sea and coastal birds become entangled in standing rigging. The shellfish fisheries in tidal and coastal regions perform an attack on the supply of staple food, such as cockles and spisula. Positive is the effect of by-catch which is thrown overboard. Gulls and petrels in particular profit.
The influence of pollution on birds is thought to be less serious. Effects of materials such as PCBs on the immune system of the birds has not been sufficiently studied.
Wind parks and future transmission installations bring birds the risk of collisions. Military activities disturb resting and foraging birds.
Recreation on the beach and in coastal waters can disturb foraging birds and result in the disappearance of nesting places. The construction of the Second Maasvlakte could mean the loss of a large foraging area.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

Because they are at the top of the food chain, marine mammals have relatively the most hinder from pollution in sea, whether it comes from offshore, shipping or from land. Reproduction and health problems can result.
Standing rigging causes problems for marine mammals. Porpoises can drown in the nets of cod fishermen, seals can drown in the fykes lacking retaining nets.
Finally, disturbance of resting seals is a problem. This can be caused by recreationists (on the beach or in tidal regions), from shipping or from military activities.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

One has not been able to establish any clear effects of human activity as far as this goal is concerned.

Static constructions such as drilling platforms and windmill parks disrupt the open horizon. On the other hand, ships at sea enlarge the feeling of an openness. Military practices and noisy forms of aquatic recreation disturb the stillness.
The proposed scale for this goal has been summerized in the underlying table.

Pollution plays a prominent role in this goal. Oil victims and marine litter substantially reduce the value of experiencing nature along the coast. In addition, disturbance due to recreation and military activities also play a role.

In the note 'Nature for people, people for nature' from 2000, the Dutch government establilshed twelve ecosystem goals for the North Sea.
The underlying table gives an overview of the goals. The numbers refer to the explanation per goal and a table with indicators for reaching the goal.

In the report "In sea with nature'', the assesment center LNV surveys the possible conflicts between the ecosystem goals and human activities in and around the sea. In addition, a number of goal scales are elaborated ('Parameters for Ecosystem goals in the North Sea', 2002).

Sea currents and the resulting transportation of sand and mud at sea will only be disrupted by large-scale sand exploitation in deep pits. This is not taking place momentarily, however there are plans in this direction (exploiting concrete sand in the North Sea). Current patterns along the coast (the 'coastal river') can be disturbed due to the construction of the Second Maas Plain, maintenance of piers and channels, coastal defence works and, in a limited manner, from fisheries.
The suggested scales for these goals are summerized in the underlying table.

The quality of the ecosystem in the delta waters is particularly under pressure due to continuing high concentrations of contaminated materials in the Schelde water. The concentrations of nutrients is also too high, which can lead to blossoms of toxic or plague algae. Furthermore, cockle fisheries forms a threat for the bird populations and the shellfish farming brings risks of introducing system-foreign species into the delta waters (as happened with the Pacific oyster in past decades). The construction of the Second Maasvlakte means a major intervention on the existing intertidal region.
In the large tidal waters of the Delta, the tide has been tremendously tempered by the Delta Works. Increase in the difference between high and low tide (the fall) could lead to a large increase in the areal of exposed banks.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

Reaching this goal is hindered in particular by the continuing high supply of nutrients to seawater. The blossoming of non-toxic organisms, such as phaeocystis and Noctiluca scintillans can cause disorder in the ecosystem locally. Blossoming of toxic algae, such as dinophysis brings dangers for all plankton consumers, but especially for man (via shellfish). New toxic algae can end up in the North Sea ecosystem via ballast water from ships. Furthermore, one expects so much turbidity from large-scale sand exploitation that it will influence the plankton.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

The benthic fauna in the North Sea suffers in particular from beam trawl fisheries with tickler chains. Long-living animal species, such as the quahog and the red whelk, are declining rapidly in areas where intensive flatfish fisheries take place. Other shellfish, echinoderms, crabs, lobsters and benthic fish are also disappearing to make room for a fauna consisting mostly of worms. In addition, the benthic fauna is also influenced by pollution. Eutrophication in particular can lead to disturbances or a different composition of the fauna.
The construction of the Second Maasvlakte means the disappearance of a large surface area of biotopes in a shallow coastal zone.
Oil and gas exploitation platforms have a positive effect on the benthic fauna indirectly. There is a safety zone of a radius of 500 meters around every installation, in which shipping, fisheries and activities such as sand extraction is not allowed. In these zones, the benthic fauna is not disturbed as much than elsewhere at sea. Locally, the discharge of drilling mud can lead to disturbance.
(Future) wind parks and possible placement of transmitting installations will also be surrounded by a safety zone which is favorable for benthic fauna.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

The safety zone around offshore platforms and wind energy parks is also a refuge for benthic fish. Pollution from the offshore and shipping can form a threat. Gravel excavation is damaging for species that lay their eggs on gravel substrates (such as herring)
The fisheries has a major influence on the fish populations. The target species threaten to be overfished and unintended by-catch species, such as sharks and rays, have declined strongly in number. Sharks and rays are also sensitive to electromagnetic fields which are generated by electricity and telephone cables.
The construction of the Second Maasvlakte will probably have a significant effect on the migration of fish larvae to the nursery in the Wadden Sea, due to repositioning the coastal river.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

Lighted drilling platforms can have negative effects on migrating birds. Birds can also be victims of gas flames during burn off of gas which is released during trial drills. Even more serious is the risks of discharges from mineral and vegetable oil from shipping.
The fisheries have positive as well as negative influence on birds. A number of sea and coastal birds become entangled in standing rigging. The shellfish fisheries in tidal and coastal regions perform an attack on the supply of staple food, such as cockles and spisula. Positive is the effect of by-catch which is thrown overboard. Gulls and petrels in particular profit.
The influence of pollution on birds is thought to be less serious. Effects of materials such as PCBs on the immune system of the birds has not been sufficiently studied.
Wind parks and future transmission installations bring birds the risk of collisions. Military activities disturb resting and foraging birds.
Recreation on the beach and in coastal waters can disturb foraging birds and result in the disappearance of nesting places. The construction of the Second Maasvlakte could mean the loss of a large foraging area.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

Because they are at the top of the food chain, marine mammals have relatively the most hinder from pollution in sea, whether it comes from offshore, shipping or from land. Reproduction and health problems can result.
Standing rigging causes problems for marine mammals. Porpoises can drown in the nets of cod fishermen, seals can drown in the fykes lacking retaining nets.
Finally, disturbance of resting seals is a problem. This can be caused by recreationists (on the beach or in tidal regions), from shipping or from military activities.
The proposed indicators for reaching this goal are summarized in the table below:

One has not been able to establish any clear effects of human activity as far as this goal is concerned.

Static constructions such as drilling platforms and windmill parks disrupt the open horizon. On the other hand, ships at sea enlarge the feeling of an openness. Military practices and noisy forms of aquatic recreation disturb the stillness.
The proposed scale for this goal has been summerized in the underlying table.

Pollution plays a prominent role in this goal. Oil victims and marine litter substantially reduce the value of experiencing nature along the coast. In addition, disturbance due to recreation and military activities also play a role.