Wadden Sea

My trip to the Wadden Sea

In January 2024, I went to one of the Wadden Islands for a weekend: Ameland, The Netherlands.

For the first time in a couple of weeks we had some sun which meant long walks along the shore line looking for ocean treasures. When walking on this beach, it immediately becomes clear how lively this ecosystem is. We found so many shells, cuttlebones, sea weed, crab skeletons and even an egg case from some kind of cartilaginous fish (I think a blonde ray or Raja brachyura, but I’m not sure)
The Wadden Sea is of great importance for various sharks and rays species, and recently it was discovered that they are important for the Wadden sea too. As it turns out, the sharks and rays stir up the sediments, which forms new bumps in the sand that provide new opportunities for food and safety for other species.⁴ Since the shark and ray numbers are in decline, it was super cool to see an egg case. I tried to see if I saw an embryo inside (which I unfortunately did not) but I put it back into the sea as recommended by the Shark Trust anyway.⁵

Egg case of some kind of cartilaginous fish, I think a ray. If anyone knows for sure, please let me know!

Photo by me (2024)

Since the Wadden Sea is home to two different species of seal, we were obviously hoping to see one. The most common seal species of the Wadden is the Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and their pups are born during the summer. In winter however, the Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) give birth to their pups.⁶
On our last day in Ameland we were finally lucky: we saw a seal! Unfortunately, the seal was not doing too well, so we decided to call the Seal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre Pieterburen to check up on her. We later got an update saying that she was a harbour seal born last summer that had caught a lung worm infection. They took her back to the centre and are treating her. She was named Restello, and once she gets her strength back they will release her back into the wild!

Not every seal on the beach is in need of help. If you see a seal please remember these few points:

• Keep your distance and urge others to do the same (at least 30m);

• Keep your dogs close, or put them on a lead;

• if there’s a pup, check if you can see a mother (seal pups are often left alone on the beach while the mother hunts for food);

• In case of doubt: a quick google search will give you the phone number of the local organisation that can help you out.

If you want to donate to the rescue centre, plan a visit to meet the seals, or just have a browse on their website, you can click here.

The harbour seal we found on the beach
Photo by me (2024)