Wadden Sea National Park plans to deploy rangers at sea

In the future, rangers in the Wadden Sea National Park could be deployed not only on land, but also at sea. Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony and Hamburg, as neighbors of the Wadden Sea, are planning to expand the operational area to include protected areas at sea. The rangers at sea should travel on ships.

In order to develop a corresponding concept, a funding application was submitted to the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) in Osnabrück. A decision on whether the project will be funded is expected to be made this fall.

Lower Saxony's Environment Minister Christian Meyer sees many advantages in expanding the ranger territory to the sea. “I welcome the idea of ​​expanding the important information work of the national park rangers at sea as well,” said the Green politician to the German Press Agency.

Many Wadden Sea visitors appreciated the educational and information work of the rangers. “We can also close a gap at sea, as there are a lot of leisure boats there and we can also be informed directly or asked at what distance seals and gray seals can and should be carefully observed.”

Fishermen feel poorly informed

Meyer went on to say that it was not about expanding fishing controls with the rangers. The Environment Minister would like to involve fishermen more closely, some of whom are already taking on excursions as partners of the national park.

“In the concept for the marine rangers, we also want to examine how we can better support interested crab fishermen as qualified partners for nature exploration, seal trips or mudflat hikes,” says Meyer. He also believes it is possible to involve fishermen in ranger training.

The Weser-Ems State Fisheries Association criticizes the fact that the fishermen have not yet known anything about the ranger plans - not even in the recently concluded fisheries dialogue in the state of Lower Saxony. “We expect the state government to provide a comprehensive explanation of what plans exist for the territorial sea. A dialogue thrives on openness and trust. The fishery does not feel informed about this matter,” said association boss Dirk Sander.