Legal battle looms over Wadden Sea power boat racing plan

Plans to stage high-speed power boat races in the Wadden Sea this August have come under fire from environmental groups and are now the subject of a legal battle, Trouw reports on Wednesday.


The organisers of the Grand Prix of the Sea plan to stage three days of racing between Den Helder and the Wadden island of Texel.
However, the region is part of a protected European seascape known as Natura 2000. The Wadden Sea association is now fighting the plans, saying noisy speed boats have no place in the area and will cause distress to porpoise and seals. Texel council is also opposed.
The organisers earlier commissioned two reports which showed the event would not cause any lasting damage to wildlife. These reports were instrumental in winning provincial support for the three-day race meeting.
The Wadden Sea association is now preparing legal action to have the races banned.

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