During their last meeting in October 2021, the members of the Expert Group Salt Marshes and Dunes visited the Marconi salt marshes, a salt marsh development project by Bioshape in the Netherlands.

Thirty years after the implementation of the Wadden Sea Seal Agreement, the population of harbour seals in the Wadden Sea, has increased five-fold and is assumed to have reached the same level as estimated in 1900.

The 15th International Scientific Wadden Sea Symposium, planned for Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein (D) on 30 Nov - 3 Dec 2021, will now be held online.

The 15th International Scientific Wadden Sea Symposium, which this year will be held in Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein (D) on 30 Nov - 3 Dec 2021, is now at full capacity in line with the local restrictions for events, with 180 participants. It is therefore no longer possible to book at place at the event.

During two weekends in September, the first ever East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum took place. 79 enthusiastic young conservationists from 34 countries had signed up for the event to discuss the role and importance of youth engagement in flyway conservation.

The 15th International Scientic Wadden Sea Symposium will be held as an in person event in Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein (D) on 30 Nov - 3 Dec 2021

The Wadden Sea is well known for the large flocks of birds that visit the area during the annual migration to and from the Arctic. In recent years, there has been increased concern about these Arctic travellers due to the impact of changing climatic conditions in the Arctic.

The Wadden Sea was recognised with a dedicated session during the conference ECSA 58 - EMECS 13: Estuaries and coastal seas in the Anthropocene – Structure, functions, services and management which took place as an online event from September 6 to 9, 2021.

The 2020-2021 counts show a steady increase in the number of grey seals in the Wadden Sea.