Elbe estuary region & North Sea, Germany: Multi-use and cross-sectoral synergies on marine and land space, adaptive water management and education and public awareness

The Elbe Estuary, stretching 97 km from the port city of Hamburg to the German North Sea coast, is a vital land-sea region in Germany that supports key activities including shipping and transport, fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, tourism and recreation, and nature conservation. To support sustainable development and minimise conflicts among these sectors, four best practice examples have been developed specifically for the Elbe Estuary. These include tools and recommendations designed to foster cross-sectoral synergies and reduce conflicts, initiatives to raise public awareness through newsletters and an online learning platform, and proposals for more adaptive water management processes tailored to the estuary's unique needs. These practices aim to balance the diverse functions of the estuary while promoting sustainable, multi-use strategies.