Videos and mobile phone pictures of a humpback whale off the northern tip of Rügen, near Nonnevitz, have been causing quite a stir and speculation since yesterday. Many images and videos show the animal striking the surface of the water impressively with its tail fin. It was reported by Bild, Stern, Ostsee-Zeitung and NDR, among others. The whale also became a hit on social media. Everyone is puzzling over how the animal got so far into the Baltic Sea - and what it is looking for here.
Judith Denkinger from the German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund confirmed to the media via a museum spokeswoman that the video footage clearly shows a humpback whale. The expert suspects that it is a male juvenile. The whale's behaviour, in particular the slapping of its powerful tail fin on the water, is typical of male humpback whales, which attract females, among other things. Humpback whales do not normally occur in the Baltic Sea. Denkinger speaks of a false migration and hopes that the whale will find its way back to the North Sea.
Animal rescue and marine museum experts provide clarification
Many excited holidaymakers who witnessed the spectacle sent their photos and videos to the Vorpommern-Rügen animal rescue service. The animal rescuers then contacted the Oceanographic Museum and passed the information on to the experts. Thanks to this cooperation, the scientists were quickly able to get a comprehensive picture of the "unusual and very impressive situation", explained the animal rescuers.
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The sighting of this majestic marine mammal has not only excited tourists and locals, but has also attracted the attention of marine biologists and environmentalists. Usually found in the deeper waters of the oceans, humpback whales are known for their spectacular leaps and complex songs. Their appearance in the comparatively shallow Baltic Sea raises questions and at the same time offers a unique opportunity for observation and research.
Unusual whale sightings in the Baltic Sea
Humpback whales have been spotted several times in the Baltic Sea since the beginning of the year. In May, firefighters spotted an animal just 800 metres off the coast of Ahrenshoop. A video of a sighting on Easter Monday near Hiddensee also led experts to suspect that it was a young humpback whale. A whale was also spotted near Travemünde in spring, which according to the head of the Nabu Baltic Sea Conservation Centre was probably a young humpback whale.
This cluster of sightings is highly unusual for the Baltic Sea and has prompted scientists to investigate possible reasons for this phenomenon. Some theories include changes in the food chains due to climate change, disruptions in the usual migration routes or possibly even an increase in the whale population in the neighbouring waters of the North Sea.
Indicator of major ecological changes?
Dr Maria Schmidt, a leading marine biologist at the University of Rostock, is quoted as saying: "The repeated sightings of humpback whales in the Baltic Sea are a fascinating phenomenon. It could be an indicator of major ecological changes in our seas. We need to closely monitor and analyse this development to understand possible impacts on the entire marine ecosystem."
However, the presence of the large marine mammals in the Baltic Sea also brings challenges. The relatively shallow waters and intensive shipping traffic in the region can pose risks to the whales. Experts emphasise the need for increased vigilance and adapted shipping guidelines to avoid possible collisions.
Whale Alert App now also for European waters
In line with these unusual sightings, the Whale Alert app, which was previously only available in North America, has now also been introduced for European waters. The app is intended to help reduce dangerous encounters between ships and whales. Andreas Dinkelmeyer, Campaign Manager IFAW Germany, emphasises the importance of the app.
According to expert estimates, for every registered whale encountered, there are around 20 more that are not documented. The introduction of the Whale Alert App in Europe marks a significant step forward in marine conservation and whale watching. It not only offers a platform for citizens and scientists to report whale sightings, but also serves as an important tool for preventing collisions between ships and whales.
Dr Lukas Weber, a marine mammal expert at the Alfred Wegener Institute, explains: "The Whale Alert App is a prime example of how modern technology can be used to protect marine wildlife. It allows us to collect real-time data on whale movements and relay this information directly to ship captains and other relevant stakeholders. This can play a crucial role in preventing collisions and better protecting our marine ecosystems."
Functionality and new features
The app allows users to report whale sightings and receive alerts. An integrated indicator estimates the risk of collision based on the size, speed and position of the vessel. Users can also receive certification as a "trusted observer". The app provides information on applicable regulations and navigation rules and gives advice on behaviour in areas with recent whale sightings.
This should also be of interest to sailors travelling along the Iberian Atlantic coast and in the Strait of Gibraltar. Orcas have been repeatedly attacking sailing yachts there for several years. In most cases, the rudder systems are destroyed, but several boats have already sunk as a result of the attacks.
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As scientists are still puzzling over the behaviour of the animals and the orcas have recently extended their range to areas near the coast that were previously considered reasonably safe, the international sailing community is grateful for any source of information. The Whale Alert App could help to provide faster and more accurate information about the current whereabouts of the Iberian orcas.
Interesting not only for commercial shipping
The app could also be interesting for commercial shipping or for large, fast ocean racing yachts. According to its creators, it integrates complex algorithms that take various factors into account in order to calculate the risk of whale-ship collisions in real time. These include historical data on whale routes, seasonal migration patterns and known feeding grounds.
One particularly innovative feature is the option for users to be certified as "trusted observers". This feature aims to increase the quality and reliability of reported sightings. To obtain this certification, users must complete an online course that provides basic knowledge about cetacean species, their behaviour and correct identification. Dr Sophie Müller, marine biologist and co-developer of the app, explains: "Certification as a trusted observer is an important step in ensuring the quality of the data. It allows us to distinguish between incidental observations and substantiated reports, which significantly improves the scientific usability of the data."
Significance for whale conservation
Damien Demoor, founder and CEO of GREENOV, emphasises the opportunity for ocean lovers and marine professionals to actively support the protection of whales. The data collected will be used by marine biologists to study the occurrence, feeding behaviour and migration patterns of whales. Virgil Zetterlind, co-founder of Conserve.IO, also points out that the app makes it easier to navigate a network of overlapping and constantly changing protected areas and shipping lanes.
Prof. Dr Hans Schmidt, Head of the Institute of Marine Ecology at Kiel University, also emphasises the scientific importance of the app: "The Whale Alert App is revolutionising our possibilities for whale research. The wealth of real-time data that we receive from the broad user base gives us insights into the lives of whales that we didn't have before. This is particularly valuable for understanding how whale populations adapt to changing environmental conditions."
Raising public awareness
The app also plays an important role in raising public awareness of whale conservation. By enabling users to actively participate in whale watching and conservation, it raises awareness of the challenges whales face in today's oceans.
Various improvements and extensions to the app are planned for the future. These include the integration of underwater microphones for the acoustic recognition of whales, the development of AI-supported image recognition algorithms for the automatic identification of whale species from user photos and the expansion of the app to include other endangered marine animals such as dolphins and sea turtles.
Dr Michael Brown, Chief Scientist at Conserve.IO, is optimistic about the future: "The Whale Alert App is just the beginning. We see huge potential for expanding this technology to other areas of marine conservation. Our goal is to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem that combines science, nature conservation and the responsible use of the oceans."
- The Whale Alert app is available free of charge in the Apple App Store and with Google Play available.
