The Fifth Note recognizes the space claims of the various activities at sea. These are shown in the underlying table.

The entire North Sea is part of the Ecological Main Structure of the Netherlands. The Fifth Note states in global terms that the natural system in the North Sea in particular must be conserved and restored. In the case of spatial conflicts and new developments, there are three guiding principles:
benefit and necessity: new activities must serve a public interest and must be activities which cannot be performed on land;
water system approach: when solving problems or developing new activities, the relationship between fresh and salt water systems must be taken into account;
precautionary measures: irreparable disturbance and pollution of the sea must be prevented. The consequences of new activities must be studied beforehand and when in doubt about the possible effects, nature interests will have priority.
Indications for solving problems are occasionally given in the texts of the governmental resolution, however the Note makes no concrete choices in the environmental policy. All of the decisions are transferred to part three of the Note (probably to be integrated in the Note Space), to international talks and to other policy developments, such as the project Ecosystem goals / nature value chart for the North Sea.