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An overview is presented of non-indigenous marine and estuarine plant and animal species recorded from The Netherlands. In this list both exotic species from outside NW Europe and non-indigenous species from elsewhere in NW Europe are enumerated. Species that have been suggested to be non-indigenous in The Netherlands but for which insufficient evidence could be found are discussed shortly as well. The list is based mainly on literature data supplemented by own observations of the author. At least 99 plant and animal species have been introduced from elsewhere in the world. Another 13 species have been introduced from other parts of NW Europe. The third category of dubious non-indigenous species enumerates 37 species. The list is preceded by an introduction describing the history of Dutch research on introduced species, the origin of the marine and estuarine flora and fauna of The Netherlands, natural and human-induced dispersal processes, and a summary of the geographic patterns of introduced species.

The 10th International Scientific Wadden Sea Symposium from October to November 2000 brought more than 200 scientists and policy officials to Groningen. The symposium had been organised with the object of realising a tangible scientific contribution to the 2001 Trilateral Intergovernmental Conference which was held in Esbjerg. The theme of the symposium was 'Challenges to the Wadden Sea Area: finding a balance between economic and ecological values'. The lectures addressed cultural and economic aspects of climate change, different aspects of salt marsh management and shellfish fisheries and their effects on birds, an overview of the experiences with the Wadden Sea targets and a possible inclusion of socio-economic targets and methods to integrate socio-economic and ecological coastal policy making.

At least 31 species of marine mammals, marine and coastal birds, and marine and anadromous fish have disappeared temporarily or permanently from the coasts of The Netherlands and in most cases also from the south-eastern North Sea (south of 54 degrees N) during the past 2000 years-In 18-22 cases, the disappearance was probably due to overexploitation. For 9-12 species, physical destruction of their habitat was involved and, for 3-5 species, pollution probably played a part. Five species have returned to the area; these are doing very well. Three species may return through expansion of populations elsewhere. Anadromous fish and demersal fish species that have disappeared because of bottom-trawling in the North Sea have little chance of returning under the present conditions. For the gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) and the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) suggestions are made to investigate the possibilities for re-introduction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

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