Analysis of environmental lobby and kite surfing

In the FD of August 25, we learned that Environment Minister Jacqueline Cramer does not rule out that she should close the subsidy tap for environmental organizations that persistently provide unilateral or incomplete information and debate. With this she responded to the continuing criticism of government subsidies to environmental organizations.

Milieudefensie in particular is the head of the jut. The ruling party CDA recently asked Cramer to review support for environmental organizations. But Cramer, who does not mention names of organizations, does draw a line. In the case of one-sided and incomplete information and the conduct of the social debate in an undemocratic manner, 'we as national government must be very critical'. In that case, it will discuss this with the environmental organization concerned. 'And eventually, if this one-sidedness or incompleteness persists, it can lead to the subsidy being discontinued.'

As kite surfers we also have to deal with environmental regulations that, in our opinion, are based on incomplete information. Due to environmental regulations, we are afraid that we may mistakenly lose half of our spots. Below is an overview of the area of ​​tension.

Natura 2000

Natura 2000 is a European network of protected nature areas. In the Netherlands there are 162, including the IJsselmeer and many coastal areas. The new Natura 2000 regulations divide water sports into categories. Windsurfing is considered sailing, which puts it in category I. That is why nothing changes for windsurfers. Kitesurfing is seen as new and therefore not yet categorized. This means that the responsible municipality or province can prohibit kite surfing at certain places and times. We see resorts that have kitesurfing zones within which kitesurfing is allowed in certain parts of the year or times of the day. This, for example, in order not to bother bathers.

Bird Protection is a firm opponent of kite surfing. Because it is precisely against the 'new' sport that there is still something to be done. 'Windsurfing has been around for so long, that's for sure,' says Marieke Dijksman of the Bird Protection Agency. 'When kite surfers pass by, you see whole groups of birds flying up in panic,' says Marieke Dijksman of the Vogelbescherming. 'From one kite surfer 20.000 wigeons (a species of duck, ed.) Are hours of battle. Wind surfers are predictable, they sail in a straight line. ' These are quotes from a newspaper article on July 17, 2008 the press.

Our NKV chairman, Thijs Vunderink, is afraid that our sport will lose half of its spots when Natura 2000 comes into effect. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) is currently making an inventory of the areas.

Refute

Most kite surfers know from practice that birds are no longer afraid of our kites. 10 years ago, when we first took to the water with a kite, we saw birds fly away prematurely. In the meantime, we often see birds just sit there or wait until the very last moment before flying away. In the latter case, confrontation is almost inevitable.

To agree

The above is also supported by Robert Musters, inventor of the robotic hawk that functions as a scarecrow at Schiphol. “The first time the bird will fly up because it does not know the object. But birds are not crazy. He is used to it a second time and will not let it drive him away. ” These are quotes from a newspaper article of Kitesite.nl.

Question

Which not outdated studies show that kite surfing is a threat to the survival of the bird life?

Conclusion

It is too premature for us to state that the Bird Protection is incomplete and too one-sided in its information. We will, however, be looking for arguments and counter-arguments in the near future and will come back with a new conclusion.

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