Nature value map for the North Sea

In the framework of the project Ecosystem goals for the North Sea, a map has been drawn indicating the most valuable nature areas in the Dutch section of the North Sea. These areas are the coastal zone, the Frisian Front, the Central Oystergrounds, the Cleaverbank and part of the Doggersbank. With the exception of the Frisian Front and Central Oystergrounds, these areas were proposed as Natura 2000 regions in 2008. A number of other valuable regions are mentioned in the Integral Management Plan North Sea 2015: the Gasfonteinen, the Borkumse Stones, the Brown Bank and the Zeeuwse banks. The selection of regions were chosen based upon its meaning in light of the ecosystem goals.