The German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV) is supporting a project to protect the highly endangered harbour porpoise in the North Sea. In cooperation with the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) and the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, extensive underwater noise measurements were carried out off Horumersiel on 14 June 2025. The aim is to investigate the effects of motorboat noise on the only whale species permanently resident in German waters and to derive behavioural recommendations for recreational skippers.
Endangerment of harbour porpoises due to underwater noise
The harbour porpoise, which is listed as a critically endangered species in Germany, is particularly sensitive to underwater noise. The up to 160 cm long marine mammals orientate themselves mainly by acoustic localisation. At high noise levels, harbour porpoises stop feeding or stop echolocating altogether. This can lead to a loss of energy and have long-term negative effects on the animals' health. Fleeing to quieter areas means additional stress for the already endangered population.
Detailed sound measurements
In order to specify the interference more precisely, different types of motorboat were used for the measurements off Horumersiel. Members of the DMYV member association Sail-Lollipop Regatta Verein e.V. from Hooksiel provided four motor yachts of different design, engine and drive type. Dr Andreas Ruser from ITAW led the scientific investigations, while Dipl. Ing. Helmut von Veen, head of the DMYV's Spatial Planning / Environment / Infrastructure department, represented the interests of motor boaters.
Commitment to active environmental protection
Helmut von Veen explains the DMYV's commitment: "We motor boaters like to be pilloried across the board when it comes to naming the environmental sins of leisure boating." By participating in the project, the association wants to show that motor boaters are definitely willing to make an active contribution to environmental protection. By supporting the noise measurements, the aim is to obtain sound data in order to develop practical behavioural recommendations for recreational skippers.
Education and awareness-raising through the "Calm for the harbour porpoises" project
The BUND project "Calm for the harbour porpoises" aims to educate people about the only whale permanently resident in German waters and to sensitise water sports enthusiasts to the needs of the animals. Recreational skippers should be able to actively contribute to the protection of harbour porpoises and their habitats through their own behaviour at sea. The knowledge gained from the sound measurements is to lead to concrete recommendations for action that can be given to boaters.
Promotion and support
The project is sponsored by the Lower Saxony Bingo Environmental Foundation and the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea Foundation. The involvement of the DMYV and its members provides the initiative with additional practical support from the water sports community. This emphasises the growing awareness of environmental protection and species conservation in the leisure boating sector.
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Torsten Moench
Editor in Chief BOOTE
