North Sea Programme 2022 – 2027.

This Programme, elaborated as an integrated part of the National Water Programme 2022-2027, and in compliance with the Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning, provides for sustainable and environmental friendly use of Dutch North Sea water and its natural resources. This Programme fully applies the principle of the integrated approach to water resources management, with targeted measures and actions for the restoration and protection of the North Sea ecosystem. In this Programme, applied to the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone and the non-administratively divided territorial sea, the government, through the National Environmental Vision (NOVI), sets the frameworks for spatial use of the North Sea in relation to the condition of the marine ecosystem and for elaborating a Policy aimed at improving the sea environmental condition.
The Programme is structured as follows: 1) development of Policy for the North Sea; legal, spatial and administrative framework; compliance with international treaties and conventions; adaptive planning and international cooperation; procedure and assessment advice of the Committee for environmental assessment. 2) Vision, ambition and tasks; challenges and opportunities; future vision for the North Sea 2050; the National Environmental Vision; international ambitions. 3) Strengthening the marine ecosystem; current situation and development; vision, ambition and tasks. 4) Transition to sustainable food supply; current use and developments; management; vision, ambition and tasks. 5) Transition to sustainable energy. 6) Ocean shipping, current situation, vision, ambition and tasks. 7) Other National interests in the North Sea: sand extraction for flood risk management; infrastructure for digital connectivity; marine security and border control; cultural heritage and landscape quality; healthy and safe physical living environment. 8) Sustainable Blue Economy; management; current situation; development. 9) Marine Spatial Planning; structural vision map 2022-2027; wind energy areas; land-sea interactions; marine spatial planning and international cooperation. 10) Policy assessment and framework for shared use of wind energy areas in the North Sea. 11) Research and monitoring. 12) Policy outlines and funding.
Targeted actions and measures of the Programme concern: reduction of marine pollution; protection and increasing fish stocks and marine mammals population; sustainable use and management of the marine space; negative impacts on fishery sector; strengthening the transition towards the exploitation of renewable energy sources; sustainable marine food production; improving mariculture techniques, in order to achieve profitable and more sustainable fisheries; specific requirements for fishing gears in compliance with European Legislation; cultivation of seaweed or shellfish; improving shrimp and squid fishery.