If you are travelling off the east coast of Jutland, you may be lucky enough to spot the two dolphins "Skywalker" and "Delle". They are frequent guests in the Limfjord and Thyborøn Canal. The playful marine mammals repeatedly attract the attention of sailors. However, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has issued an urgent warning against actively seeking contact with the wild animals. "We have to remember that these are wild animals that need peace and quiet," explains Caroline Marie Myhre, a biologist at the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Instead, water sports enthusiasts and boaters should observe the dolphins from a safe distance and give them enough space.
Avoid dangerous interactions
Studies have shown that dolphins begin to associate boats as toys when water sports enthusiasts throw fenders or ropes into the water. What initially seems harmless, however, can have dangerous consequences. The intelligent marine mammals quickly learn to interact with objects in the water. "It's important to understand that even if it seems harmless, it can have serious consequences. A swimmer could be bitten or pushed underwater if the dolphin perceives it as a toy," warns Caroline Marie Myhre. Last year, the chairman of the Fredericia Sejlklub, Nicolai Aistrup Pedersen, reported a "frightening experience" when the dolphin Skywalker bumped into a boat. This behaviour is strongly reminiscent of that of orcas, which have been increasingly attacking sailing ships off the Iberian Peninsula and in the Strait of Gibraltar since 2020. Unlike there, collisions with dolphins have not yet led to sinking ships and crews in distress at sea. We reported on the last devastating incident of this kind in January.
Clear rules of behaviour for water sports enthusiasts
To avoid such dangerous situations, the environmental authority has issued clear guidelines for dealing with marine mammals. Boaters should reduce their speed to 5 knots when approaching dolphins or whales within 300 metres. In general, a minimum distance of 50 metres should be maintained. For animals with young animals or during resting phases, the distance should even be 200 metres. It is particularly important that no objects are thrown into the water to attract the attention of the animals. Instead, the dolphins should decide for themselves whether they want to approach.
Special caution for swimmers and paddlers
Special precautions apply for swimmers, stand-up paddlers and kayakers. They should always keep their distance and give the dolphins enough room. When approached by a dolphin, it is important to remain calm and avoid sudden movements. The Environment Agency warns that dolphins that have previously played with fenders may perceive swimming equipment such as fins or beach balls as interesting objects and try to interact with them.
