The physicians call on all the member states of WHO and UN to adopt this initiative. The North and Baltic Sea Coasts often stand in the front line of attack - from nature and economics. In our river estuaries, the conflicts between economics and nature conservation are clearly illustrated. As many large harbours are situated there, estuaries are directly influenced by the effects of all developments in maritime operation and harbours. Extended deepening of the river-bed will be continued in the rivers Elbe, Weser and Ems, the same fate may await the Odra.
Some rivers have to cope with enormous contaminant loadings.
Dykes and dams uncouple estuaries from the ecologically-important influence of the sea and have also contributed to the drastic change in the once vital river landscape. Just a few examples of the diverse uses which are required of river-mouths. Until now, however, their ecological value has been either underestimated or hardly considered. This will also be one of the themes of the Coastal Day. To develop estuaries in an environmentally sensitive manner is a complex process and requires a fine-tuned approach rather than forcing it into stone and steel corsets.