This concerns all of us
Inland lakes and coastal waters are increasingly being used by water sports enthusiasts to practice their sports. In doing so, they often venture—in their sometimes shallow watercraft—into areas that were previously undisturbed nesting and resting sites for many bird species that have become rare. This has led to conflicts between conservationists and water sports enthusiasts in many places. Many native waterbird species, such as loons and ducks, breed in the riparian vegetation along water bodies and forage there—as well as on the open water. However, riparian vegetation does not provide a sufficient food supply for all individuals. These predominantly shy waterbirds require escape distances of 100 to 150 meters. Also at risk are species that nest in the vegetation zone (e.g., reeds, rushes, etc.) during the breeding season (March 1–July 15), which abandon their nests as soon as water sports enthusiasts approach. If disturbances recur, the parent birds will not return to the nest; the eggs will cool, and the clutch will perish. For this reason, takeoff and landing should only occur at designated areas. However, when nature is treated with respect, it has been shown that water sports and environmental protection are entirely compatible. In many places, it can be observed that waterfowl actively approach people. A certain degree of habituation to water sports enthusiasts can also be observed in the animal kingdom. On many Bavarian lakes, a 100-meter-wide strip off the shores has been closed to windsurfers and other boaters. Similarly, primarily for nature conservation reasons, water sports have been completely banned on some lakes or are now permitted only in specially designated areas. Particular mention should be made in this context of the Wadden Sea, which is unique in the world. It provides food and habitat for many rare birds. During the summer months, they molt here in large numbers and are extremely sensitive to disturbance and, in some cases, unable to fly during this time.
Seals
Seals mate, give birth, and raise their young on sand flats and banks in the Wadden Sea. If people come too close (less than 300 m), they flee into the water. Since nursing the pups can only take place on dry sandbanks, frequent disturbances lead to a shortening of the nursing period and thus to a general deterioration in the pups’ health. In addition, interruptions to their rest and lying periods contribute to weakness and increased susceptibility to disease even among adult seals.
Fall and Winter
In winter, migratory waterfowl—such as geese, ducks, snipes, and species that overwinter in our latitudes—are disturbed by the “die-hards” who continue to sail, kitesurf, or windsurf even during the cold season. The birds depend on finding sufficient food and the rest they need to conserve energy on our waters in order to survive the cold, food-scarce season. The transition period in the fall—at the start of the migration and wintering season—is particularly critical, as this is when the populations must first gather and establish themselves. Disturbances have especially severe consequences during this time and disrupt the entire migration and distribution pattern.
Legal Basis
Species at risk in the Federal Republic of Germany are listed in what is known as a “Red List.” This involves conducting surveys of all plant and animal species found in the country and comparing their populations with those of about a hundred years ago. Species are classified as extinct, critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable.
Each nature reserve has a specific set of rules and restrictions. Signs are posted to mark these protected areas. However, even bodies of water without specific protection regulations are subject to basic legal rules. The Federal Species Protection Act states: It is prohibited to deliberately disturb wild animals.
Wetlands
Wetlands of International Importance for Shorebirds and Waterfowl in the Federal Republic of Germany:
- Wadden Sea
- Lower Elbe between Barnkrug and Otterndorf
- Elbe Floodplain between Schnackenburg and Lauenburg
- Dümmer
- Diepholz Moor Lowlands
- Steinhuder Meer
- Rhine between Eltville and Bingen
- Lake Constance and Wollmatinger Ried,
- Giehrenmoos and Hegnebucht on Lake Gnadensee
- Lake Mindel near Rudolphzell
- Danube floodplains and Donaumoos
- Lech-Danube Triangle
- Ismangingen Reservoir
- Lake Ammer
- Lake Starnberg
- Lake Chiemsee
- Lower Inn between Haiming and Neuhaus
Rules
Resolving this conflict—between the interests of water sports enthusiasts on the one hand and the preservation of the habitat of many animals and plants on the other—can certainly only be achieved through cooperation among athletes and their associations, conservationists, and government agencies. It is likely that few water sports enthusiasts are aware of the fact that their sport causes disturbances that can significantly impact life on and around the water.
Watersports enthusiasts should pay special attention to the following rules of conduct
- Keep your distance from reed beds, reed belts, riparian woodlands, and densely vegetated shoreline areas.
- Maintain a sufficient minimum distance (150 m) from flocks of birds on the water.
- Takeoff and landing are permitted only at designated areas.
- Avoid disturbing birds on the water, especially in winter.
- In the Wadden Sea region, maintain a distance of at least 300–500 meters from seal rookeries and flocks of birds.
- Observe the applicable rules in nature reserves.
- Exercise special consideration in “wetlands.”
- Keep the water and its shores clean!
- Dispose of trash and waste properly.
- Avoid unnecessary noise.
Only by acting in an environmentally conscious manner can every individual water sports enthusiast help ensure that the conflicts of interest currently “simmering” in many places do not lead to widespread official closures of various bodies of water.
But what can you, as an individual, do about it?
- Only launch your boat in areas with minimal vegetation or at designated launch sites. Muddy and shallow areas near the shore are valuable habitats for plants and animals.
- Keep your spot clean! Avoid littering. If you see plastic trash in the water that’s easy to pick up, simply stow it in your gear bag and dispose of it properly later.
- Avoid reed beds as well as shallow and flat waters with aquatic plants.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 200 meters from bird colonies and seal rookeries.
- Stay away from animals living in and around the water and do not disturb them in their natural habitat.
- Learn about nature reserves and breeding grounds, and stay away from them.
- Observe the restrictions on water sports in nature reserves and paddle only where it is permitted.
- Be a role model: Take the rules to heart, share them with others, and educate them.
- Wear your leash and make sure the conditions match your skill level. This will help you avoid unnecessary motorized rescue operations.
"Take only pictures, leave only fingerprints"
Leave nature as you found it. Leave only fingerprints behind, and capture your unique experiences in nature through photos.
The joy and challenge of stand-up paddling is that, thanks to its shallow draft and excellent visibility, you can go almost anywhere on rivers, lakes, and the ocean to discover unique natural wonders. To preserve these for future generations, please be sure to check before you paddle whether your planned route and destination are outside of nature reserves. In the digital age, this information is easy to find if your water sports center or a “local” can’t help you.
At the ocean, nautical charts provide information about nature reserves, some of which vary depending on the season.