Around 750 people protest gas drilling under Wadden sea in Holwerd

Around 750 people gathered in Holwerd on Saturday to protest gas drilling under the Wadden Sea, organizers said. The demonstration was coordinated by the Waddenvereniging and Milieudefensie, with buses bringing participants from across the country, Omrop Fryslân reports.

Protesters voiced concern that continued gas extraction could cause lasting damage to the fragile ecosystem, potentially threatening the Wadden Sea’s UNESCO World Heritage status. Organizers emphasized the environmental risks of gas drilling in the region and its impact on biodiversity.

The Wadden Sea, which received World Heritage designation in 2009, is recognized as “the largest contiguous system of sand and mud flats that emerge at low tide, where natural processes continue to function,” according to UNESCO.

Authorities monitored the demonstration to ensure public safety, but no incidents were reported during the event, which remained peaceful throughout the day.