POLICY FAILURE AND STAKEHOLDER DISSATISFACTION IN THE DUTCH WADDEN SEA SHELLFISHERY

Abstract

Shellfishing has been an important economic activity in Dutch coastal areas for centuries. The shellfishery has been active predominantly in the Dutch province of Zeeland and in the Wadden Sea (Dijkema, 1997). The Wadden Sea is a shallow inshore body of water, which is characterized by large expanses of intertidal mud flats. It extends from the Netherlands to Denmark and is bordered by a row of islands. The total area of the Wadden Sea that is part of the Netherlands is 2500 km² (Dijkema, 1997). Fishing activities in the Wadden Sea have largely focused on shellfish and shrimps. The shell- fish fishery has predominantly been targeted at oyster (Ostrea edulis), cockle (Cerastoderma edule), and mussel (Mytilus edulis) populations. While the oyster population disappeared from theWadden Sea between 1940 and 1950 due to overfishing (Dijkema, 1997), shellfishing for mussels, and cockles continues at present. Over the second half of the last century, fishing pressure has dramatically increased in the cockle sector. The increase in landings in the cockle fishing sector has resulted from the advent of mechanized fishing techniques, whereby suction dredges were implemented to harvest cockles.