Effectiviteit gebiedsbeschermende maatregelen (MEGMA) (BO-43-225-004, BO-43-119.01-006, BO-43-021.02-012, BO-11-018.02-003, BO-11-011.04-003)

In 2014, a number of areas in the western Wadden Sea were closed to mussel seed and shrimp fisheries under the agreement on mussel transition and VISWAD. The purpose of these closures was to enable the undisturbed development of multi-year mussel beds and other important natural values. In order to be able to evaluate whether the area closures lead to the desired goals, a start was made in 2015 on monitoring benthic animals in the closed areas (project 'Closed areas Waddenzee'), on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The monitoring was carried out annually in the period 2015-2021. The ministry has decided to continue the MEGMA monitoring in 2022, in the same way as before. Mussels and other benthic animals are sampled within the areas closed to mussel seed and/or shrimp fishing, and in adjacent open areas. Data on the distribution and surface of mussel beds are obtained from the annual monitoring of the mussel stock on behalf of the mussel sector. The development of mussel beds and other species in the closed areas is described, and this development is compared with that in the open area. In the event of a different development, it will be investigated whether this is a consequence of the area closure.

The results for 2015-2018 were reported in 2019. Because the intention is to continue the MEGMA study for a longer period of time, reporting will not be necessary every year. In years in which there is no reporting, the end product consists of a PowerPoint presentation in the Mussel Covenant project group. Reports were submitted in 2021 for the period up to and including 2021. The monitoring will be continued for the time being up to and including 2024.