To this day, the harbor porpoise remains a mystery, as it is extremely difficult to study it in the wild. Yet, it is now more important than ever to understand this small cetacean. Since 2020, the harbor porpoise has been listed as “critically endangered” by the German Red Species List and strandings continue to occur along European coastlines. This is why a network of institutes in the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany have joined forces to record, save and protect the only whale species living in the North and Baltic Seas. This project dives into the work of these institutes, illustrating that even species that appear insignificant at first glance make a valuable contribution to our oceans and are worth protecting.

The remote island Helgoland is the only habitat for northern gannets in Germany. Since 1991, it has been a refuge for up to 8,000 breeding pairs, which return to the cliffs every year to raise a single chick. However, marine plastic pollution has been an increasing problem. Confusing the plastic at sea for algae, the birds integrate ribbons from fishing nets into their nests. This results in approximately 14 birds perishing on the cliffs daily due to entanglement and strangulation. It is estimated that today 98% of gannet nests contain plastic waste. This story depicts the contrast between the beauty and tragedy of these seabirds, while investigating scientific research and potential solutions for the critical marine plastic problem.

Puffins are a national treasure in Iceland, which has the largest colony in the world. Yet, for decades, their numbers have been dwindling. Besides a lack of sandeels, climate change and the emerging threat of bird flu are all adding further pressures. Especially young birds are vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. Light pollution can confuse the pufflings, causing them to fly inland instead of out to sea. With the help of citizen scientists and engaged locals, the Sea Life Trust on the island Heimaey is the only organization in the country that rescues and rehabilitates the young seabirds. Besides their operations, scientists at the South Iceland Research Center collaborate with the animal rescue workers to gather data about the puffins with the aim to develop population conservation strategies.

Whale watching has been a booming industry in Norway, having taken precedence over waning whale hunting traditions. Yet, the increase of tours has introduced a new set of challenges for the cetaceans, including underwater ship noise and disturbance, which is increasingly threatening their feeding and breeding success. Termed “silent whale watching”, a whale watching tour provider explores hybrid ship technologies as a sustainable whale watching alternative that aims to reduce disturbance on the marine mammals. Therein, an electric engine is employed when approaching the cetaceans at sea, together with an educational program led by marine biologists on board. This story explores alternative solutions to resolve the complex intersection of tourism and conservation.

Based in Sindos, Action for Wildlife is the only non-government organization specialized in the rescue and rehabil- itation of wildlife in northern Greece. Working in collaboration with the Hellenic Wildlife Hospital, the first wildlife hospital in the Balkans, its patients include turtles, hedgehogs, seabirds, jackals, and raptors. The human-wildlife conflict is a frequent reason that wild animals are brought into the center. Conflicts include pollution, habitat loss, hunting, poisoning, trapping and vehicle collisions. Together with animal care workers, veterinarian Sophia Prousali works tirelessly to rehabilitate the injured animals. Despite a survival rate averaging 30%, she notes that “every life is important, and initiating a dialogue between humans and nature can aid in helping these animals in the future”.

Ghost nets are abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing nets that continue to float in oceans, posing significant threats to marine life and ecosystems. They can entangle a wide range of marine animals, leading to injury, suffocation, and death. To prevent continuous wildlife by-catch, the Society for the Rescue of Dolphins coordinates complex ghost net retrieval operations several times per year on the German island Ruegen. Therein, teams of divers descend up to 30 meters (100 feet) into murky, dark, cold waters to attach lift bags to the ghost nets. The lift bags are then inflated, so that the net can safely float to the surface, where it is pulled out onto a fishing vessel and later discarded.