Pottwale e.V.

Research and conservation of Habitats of Sperm Whales

The association Pottwale eV is a non-profit organization based in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Purpose of the association is the research and conservation of the habitats of sperm whales.

This is achieved in particular through the following measures:

  • Understanding of the behavior of sperm whales, especially in waters
    with intensive human activities
    (Boat traffic, fishing, leisure activities, whale watching)

  • Educating the public, lectures on whales, in particular in schools

  • Whale watching tours for children

  • Cooperation with other organizations with similar objectives

Why Dominica?

Paradise with little mistakes

Dominica is an independent island nation in the Caribbean. Due to its unique topography the coastline drops steep into the sea and forms a deep sea basin at the west coast of the Island.

Here deep-diving marine mammals such as sperm whales, pilot whales and False Killer whales, as well as many dolphin species find enough food. Since the animals reside partially close to the coasts, they provide an ideal destination for whale watching.

But the waters are also used by high-speed ferries, cruising and cargo ships and many leisure boats. They represent a constant threat to the slowly floating sperm whales.

Watching sperm whales

Whale watching plays a key role in raising public environmental awareness, provided that it is done in a responsible and sustainable way.

In many regions around the world, also in Dominica it has become an important economic factor, constituting a profitable source of income for local companies, since whale watchers typically also engage in other activities. The more this form of tourism gains in importance, the more our efforts to save the whales will meet with local acceptance.

Involvement of the local people

Whale watching tours are a growing branch of income for operators. Thus the whales remain close to the island, a sustainable whale watch  is necessary. For this our behavioral observation may be an important contributions.

A few years ago, we began to give lectures in schools of the marine mammals off the island. Thanks to donations we were able to invite local children to whale-watching excursions. The children therefore had the opportunity the beauty, but also the dangers of maritime world itself to experience firsthand. These children carry their experiences in the family, thus ensuring a wide dissemination of our message.

Sperm whales are not the easiest of whales to watch, due to their long dive times and ability to travel long distances underwater. However, due to the distinctive look and large size of the whale, watching is increasingly popular. Sperm whale watchers often use hydrophones to listen to the clicks of the whales and locate them before they surface. Younger generations’ not knowing whaling eras seemingly became more and more curious towards human vessels.

Protecting and Conserving the Gentle Giants

Currently, entanglement in fishing nets and collisions with ships represent the greatest threats to the sperm whale population. Other threat includes ingestion of marine debris, ocean noise, and chemical pollution.
Only about 60 sperm whales are remaining in the Dominican waters. Beside the mentioned threats also other human activities like whale watching or “swim with the whales” programs are sources that can disturb the animals and encourage them leaving the Dominican waters to find more quite places, as long as there are no rules for a sustainable and responsible interaction with these gentle giants.

Help to conserve these magnificent animals in the Dominican waters for the current and future generations

How to become a member? Contact us:

Pottwale e.V.

Rotterdamer Straße 35
40474 Düsseldorf

Tel: 0173/97 67 823
Email: info (at) pottwale.de

Vereinsregister Düsseldorf Nr. 10744

Board: Andrea Steffen

The association is under notice of exemption from the tax office Dusseldorf from 09.3.2013, recognized due to the promotion of animal welfare.

The donation account of Pottwale e.V.

Volksbank Düsseldorf
BLZ:    301 602 13
Kto:     2106 3490 13
BIC:    GENODED1DNE
IBAN:  DE91301602132106349013

Über uns

Bücher

  • Pottwale - Im dunklen Blau des Meeres
  • Wale Hautnah - Das Buch
  • leider ausverkauft und vergriffen!