The German Wildlife Foundation (DWS) has declared the common porpoise animal of the year 2022.

He follows the otter.

"With the election we are drawing attention to the problems of the domestic marine mammals," said DWS CEO Klaus Hackländer on Friday in Hamburg.

The species from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, which can be up to two meters long, are listed as "critically endangered" on Germany's red list.

The DWS explained the reasons: "On the one hand, animals often perish as bycatch in the fishermen's close-knit gill nets." In addition, a lack of feed due to overfishing as well as toxins and noise in the water are a problem.

"Above all, the permanent underwater noise from shipping causes problems for the animal." In addition, there are other sources of noise such as construction work on offshore wind turbines, in which steel piles are driven into the seabed.

The noise can be heard for miles and is a great risk for the animals' sensitive hearing.

Important climate protectors

"Like all toothed whales, porpoises use ultrasound waves to create an acoustic image of their surroundings for orientation and partner search," explained the foundation. If there is a lot of noise, they lose their orientation or even die. DWS boss Hackländer called for soundproofing devices to be installed during construction work. The finely spun fishing nets should also be made recognizable for whales.

According to the Munich-based "Whale and Dolphin Conservation" (WDC), whales are important climate protectors.

“They mix nutrients in the ocean and, through their excretions, promote the growth of phytoplankton, which produces over half of the world's oxygen.

Their bodies serve as huge CO2 stores and are a valuable source of food for life in the deep sea after their death. ”According to its own statements, the WDC is the world's leading non-profit organization that is exclusively dedicated to the protection of whales and dolphins.