PRESS RELEASE
“Seal brings in more than 300 million for the economy in the Wadden Sea area.”
However, the Seal can barely hold its head above water
A recent study has shown that the presence of seals yields a yearly total of 312 million for companies and the self-employed on the islands and in the bordering areas. Of course the SRRC is proud of what it has been able to do in 39 years of seal-rehabilitation. Our work has made the seal into the personification of the Wadden Sea.
Not only have we restored the number of seals and changed the outlook on seals, but we have apparently also given the local economy a boost. Many companies gain financially from the seal. Unfortunately, until now, the SRRC has not benefitted from this. It is even so that the SRRC can barely hold its head above water financially, because more and more seals need help. The SRRC does not receive any subsidies and is not yet being sponsored by the many companies who make a living from seal-excursions, seal-souvenirs, and other commercial seal-related activities. We think that this study may be a good starting point to change that.
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The SRRC is now going in search of partners in ecotourism. By working together to offer the public sound excursions to seal populations, among other things, the SRRC will be able to give ecotourism in the Wadden Sea an extra boost.
When the SRRC began its work in 1971, there were approximately 350 seals left in the Netherlands. The Dutch population was generally indifferent to its plight; at that moment a schoolbook was even still in use which had a picture of children clubbing a seal to death with sticks.
Thanks to our work and efforts, we have been able to change that mentality: we have taught children and adults to respect seals and have made them feel part-responsible for the problems that they are facing, because, human beings are still the seals’ biggest threat.
Our work has increased the seal populations in the Wadden Sea and along the Dutch coast. Thanks to our team in the field, our finger on the pulse and our rehabilitation of sick, injured and motherless seals, seals are still living in the Wadden Sea area.
We are very happy with the compliment, which has come from an unexpected corner, that the presence of the seal in the Wadden Sea area has given the economy an enormous boost. Of course, we will continue to make sure that the seals in the Wadden Sea remain fine and we will be asking the new minister of economic affairs to give us a suitable contribution so that we will be able to continue our work.
09-30-2010 Source: SRRC Lenie 't Hart
