the utilisation is located directly near or at the coast, so the seaward area is more or less unaffected by human influences. Since the amendment of the second national park law in 1999 mainly voluntary agreements coordinate the limitation in human utilisation of the Wadden Sea. The consideration of traditional usages highly increased the approval of the national park by locals. Since 1987 utilisations, which hardly affect the ecosystem Wadden Sea at all, are allowed again by law. Such utilisations are e.g. collecting small amounts of plants for science or education. Approval of the Wadden Sea National Park by locals and tourists The National Park Administration commissions a monitoring program called "SÖM Watt" (Sozio-ökonomisches Monitoring) regularly. In the SÖM Watt report, data about the regional economy, the demographic developments, opinions and wishes of the local population are gathered and analysed. The results of the monitoring program shows that tourists are at least as well informed about the national park as locals. In a representative survey all over Germany the Wadden Sea National Park was placed second in terms of publicity, right behind the Bavarian Forest National Park, which was the first place. Despite being famous in the public awareness, only a few people distinguish (without help) between Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park and Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park. Besides being highly approved by tourists, the surveys suggest that locals have high rates of consent for the Wadden Sea National Park as well. According to the SÖM report 2017 about 85% of the population of Dithmarschen and North Frisia would vote for a continuation of the national park. Since 2009 the approval rates haven’t gone below 80%. 10% of the samples would vote for a continuation under certain circumstances. Only 2% would vote against a continuation of the Wadden Sea National Park. Locals, who would have voted against the national park, fear further limitations for example in fishery, aquatic sports and accessibility of the conservation area. However most of the samples show comprehension for specific conservation measures. In the survey of the SÖM report 2014 36% of locals said they are proud to have the Wadden Sea National Park. Additionally 52% think the existence of the national park is important. Women and young adults evaluate it more positively than men and elder persons. It is hard to quantify the effects of the communication and education