Permit requirement: preventing, mitigating, compensating for effects on nature and the environment, such as with respect to significant effects on BHD species and areas.

Expansion of scope of Nature Conservation Act (BHD operationalisation) and Flora and Fauna Act to include EEZ.

Termination of fishery with tickler chains as per 1 January 2016 for the purpose of preventing and mitigating significant effects on BHD species and areas (does not apply to shrimp fishing).

Zoning and phasing of activities outside the breeding ground and breeding season: preventing and mitigating significant effects on BHD species.

Recovery of natural age composition of fish populations and benthic fauna and restoration of order for marine mammals and birds.

Elaboration of plans for achieving the objectives of OSPAR’s North-East Atlantic Environmental Strategy for 16 animal species and five habitat types.

Designation of Cleaver Bank, Dogger Bank and Frisian Front as Natura 2000 areas. Conservation goals have been established for each area.

Protection of 1200-4200 km2 of the Dutch part of the North Sea against significant seabed disturbance.

Increase area Dogger Bank where bottom disturbing fishing is prohibited by 557km2.

Enlarging the area Klaverbank where bottom disturbing fishing is prohibited by 552 km2.

Enlargement of the areas Central Oyster Grounds and Friese Front with a ban on (bottom-disturbing) fishing by 1062 km2 and 1014 km2 respectively.

New soil protection area Borkumse Stenen: 653 km2.

Designation of an area for oyster recovery of 100 km2 within the no fishery zone on the Friese Front.

Species protection plans are developed and implemented for vulnerable species, including birds, marine mammals, fish and benthic animals that are identified on the basis of international guidelines and the Ecology and Cumulation Framework (KEC). Threatened bird species will be protected by measures described in the future protection plans. We expect the plans to be operational from 2024.