Environment: Motorboat drivers support noise measurements to protect harbour porpoises
The German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV) is actively committed to protecting the highly endangered harbour porpoises in the North Sea. In a joint project with the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (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 of the studies is to investigate the effects of motorboat noise on the only whale species permanently resident in German waters and to derive specific 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. Experts warn that 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. In order to specify the disturbing influences more precisely, different types of motorboat were used for the measurements off Horumersiel.
But there are many other dangers for the harbour porpoise. Whale expert Anja Gallus from the Stralsund Oceanographic Museum explains in an interviewand reports on astonishing research results.
Schleswig-Holstein has also been monitoring since 2021 continuously the harbour porpoises in the western Baltic Sea. The monitoring provides important data on the occurrence of the endangered species and is intended to facilitate conservation measures. The echolocation sounds of the animals are recorded at four measuring stations.
How sailors should behave when encountering harbour porpoises, find out here.
Detailed noise measurements with different boat types
Members of the DMYV member association Sail-Lollipop Regatta Verein e.V. from Hooksiel provided four motor yachts of different designs, engine types and propulsion systems for the tests. Dr Andreas Ruser from ITAW was responsible for the scientific management of the measurements, while Dipl. Ing. Helmut von Veen, head of the DMYV Spatial Planning / Environment / Infrastructure department, represented the interests of the motor boaters. By using different types of boats, differentiated findings on the noise emissions of different drive concepts are to be obtained.
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, well-founded data is to be obtained in order to develop practical behavioural recommendations for recreational skippers. This willingness to co-operate underlines the growing awareness of environmental protection and species conservation in the leisure boating sector.
"Calm for the harbour porpoises" project
The noise measurements are part of the BUND project "Quiet for the harbour porpoises", which 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 will be used to develop specific recommendations for action that can be given to boaters. This will make an important contribution to the protection of endangered marine mammals.
Promotion and support
The project is funded 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. The co-operation between conservationists, scientists and water sports enthusiasts shows that joint solutions for the protection of endangered species are possible.
