Protecting the National Park: Environmentalists sue for crab fishing

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against crab fishing in the Wadden Sea National Park, arguing that the practice violates environmental protection laws. The German Environmental Aid (DUH) and the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) are demanding an immediate halt to fishing until a full environmental impact assessment is completed. They claim that such assessments have been deliberately avoided, which they consider a legal omission. The Wadden Sea, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also part of the European Union's Natura 2000 network, which aims to preserve natural habitats and species. It falls under the EU’s Habitats Directive, which prohibits any activities that could degrade its ecological state.

The Wadden Sea is a unique ecosystem where natural processes are meant to function without interference. This principle is upheld by the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation, involving Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Their goal is to maintain a self-sustaining ecosystem where natural processes can occur unhindered. Despite these protections, the pressure on the area remains high due to various human activities, including bottom trawling used primarily for shrimp fishing.

In late June 2026, the DUH, supported by the EJF, submitted a detailed 48-page complaint to the Schleswig-Holstein Administrative Court in Schleswig. The lawsuit targets the State Office for Coastal Protection, Nature Park, and Marine Conservation in Schleswig-Holstein (LKN.SH). According to the complaint, it is illegal to conduct large-scale and repeated bottom trawling within protected areas without first assessing its compatibility with conservation goals through an appropriate review process. This form of fishing occurs extensively, averaging around 36,000 hours annually, using nearly 80 vessels, both German-flagged and foreign-flagged.

According to Sascha Müller-Kraenner, federal director of the DUH, this legal action was taken after numerous political discussions, letters to local and national authorities, and dialogues with representatives from the fishing industry had failed to produce solutions. In April 2025, the DUH lodged a complaint with the European Commission, alleging that Germany allows bottom trawling in Natura 2000 areas without proper environmental reviews, thus violating the Habitats Directive. However, the outcome of this complaint has yet to be determined. Müller-Kraenner expressed surprise that practices like bottom trawling are accepted in protected areas such as the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea, emphasizing that European nature conservation law is not merely a suggestion but a binding requirement.

Bottom trawling appears idyllic above water but causes significant damage below the surface. A net is dragged along the seabed using metal runners and hard rubber rollers. A crossbeam keeps the net open, while a weighted chain beneath it creates vibrations that disturb the seabed and scare up shrimp. This method damages marine habitats, often resulting in bycatch ranging from crabs to starfish. The DUH describes this technique as a "trail of destruction."

A future dialogue initiated in early 2024 between environmental organizations, the state government, and the fishing industry ended without results by 2025. The failure of this initiative highlights the ongoing tensions between conservation efforts and economic interests tied to the fishing sector. As the legal battle unfolds, all parties will need to find a balance between preserving the delicate ecosystem of the Wadden Sea and addressing the livelihoods of those dependent on the fishing industry. The court case is likely to set a precedent for similar issues in other protected marine areas across Europe.