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Germany is one of the most important markets for freight transport by inland navigation. In addition, there is growing, but barely regulated recreational navigation. Scientists from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) have investigated how commercial and recreational navigation affect fish communities in six large European rivers. They analyzed almost 400 fish samplings at 88 different sites – a unique large-scale study. The result: heavy vessel operation significantly reduces the number of fishes, with species depending on gravel spawning grounds and shallow shore zones being particularly sensitive.
With around 7500 kilometers of waterways, Germany is one of the most important European locations for inland navigation. Besides cargo vessels, also sport boats and passenger ships sail across rivers and lakes engineered to waterways. The market for recreational boating and leisure navigation is growing steadily. Another trend thrives towards larger, higher powered vessels with higher carrying capacities.
Blue Belt Germany promotes water tourism and thereby endangers fish populations:
As part of the federal program Blue Belt Germany, waterways of little importance for cargo transport are envisaged for ecological revitalization and restoration. At the same time, water-based recreation and tourism are also supported and shall increase.
By 2050, waterways should meet European environmental objectives on the one hand and strengthen the regional economy on the other - also by promoting water-based tourism. However, ecological consequences of ship and boat traffic on fish assemblages have not been adequately considered yet. Researchers from the IGB have investigated the ecological consequences of shipping on fish assemblages in six European large rivers. They analyzed almost 400 fish samples from 88 locations and applied statistical models to assess whether ship type (cargo vessels, river cruisers or sport boats) or ship frequency, ship size and the amount of empty running vessels affect the fish assemblages.
Far too few fish species in the River Rhine - also a consequence of inland navigation:
The Rhine is the busiest river in the world. It carries about two thirds of the freight transported by inland navigation in Europe, about 200 million tons per year. Each day, on average 264 cargo vessels pass a site along the River Rhine. In comparison: on the River Oder, an average of only 15 cargo vessels per day transport a total of 500,000 tons of goods per year. "The difference in ship traffic is reflected in the diversity of fish species. Our analyses confirmed below-average species richness in the River Rhine and above-average species richness in the River Oder," says Dr. Petr Zajicek, first author of the study explaining the results.
Cargo ships mainly impact by blockage, sport boats by secondary waves:
Heavy loaded cargo vessels have the largest draught and therefore a particularly negative influence on biodiversity. The faster they sail, the greater the physical forces caused by vessel passage resulting in drawdown, bow- and stern waves as well as return currents, with significantly negative impacts on habitats of fishes and other aquatic organisms.
River cruises and sport boats have distinct ecological consequences: Compared to cargo vessels, recreational navigation generates particularly strong secondary waves, which propagate almost undiminished in the water column and damage shore zones and the inherent fish assemblages even at great distances. Besides cargo vessels, increasing numbers of particularly sport boats but also passenger ships result in significantly decreased fish densities. Thereby, already eight passing cargo vessels per day lower the fish densities. Fish species that depend on gravel spawning grounds and shallow shore zones are particularly sensitive.
Researchers fear an accelerated decline of biodiversity:
Dr. Christian Wolter, head of the study and IGB researcher, comments on the results of the study with regard to the national Blue Belt Germany program: "Without the revitalization of river-typical habitats, the planned touristic development of secondary waterways will accelerate rather than stop the loss of biodiversity in our rivers. Therefore, the objectives of future development program such as the Blue Belt Germany should not be determined by growth expectations for economical utility, but rather by their ecological development potential. An ecologically intact, species-rich and diverse river landscape will certainly open up new and sustainable development opportunities".
Dr. Christian Wolter
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB)
E-mail: wolter@igb-berlin.de
Phone: +49 (0)30/64181633
Petr Zajicek; Christian Wolter: The effects of recreational and commercial navigation on fish assemblages in large rivers; Science of the Total Environment. - 646(2019), S. 1304-1314. https://doi.org/10.1016
Sport boats and passenger ships at the River Elbe
Christian Wolter
None
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Sport boats and passenger ships at the River Elbe
Christian Wolter
None
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