Exploring potential electro-magnetic disturbance in wild porpoises
There is critical knowledge gap concerning the potential impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on marine mammals amid increasing electrical cable installation and other human activities in marine environments.
Short facts
- Great Belt, Kattegat Sea
- Harbour porpoises
- Investigate the effects of electromagnetic fields on harbour porpoises
- 2024–2025
This research project aims to determine whether EMF from underwater infrastructure may disturb harbour porpoises.
In the first stage of the project, completed in June 2024, it was established that the proximity of underwater power cables can be detected through electromagnetic anomalies in biologging data from tagged porpoises, indicating some level of electromagnetic exposure in wild porpoises.
In the second stage, starting in January 2025, additional lab experiments will be conducted at Fjord&Bælt, where harbour porpoises in captivity are trained to work voluntarily in various research projects. The animals are never subjected to any form of punishment, whether verbal or physical. The animal trainers are guided to ensure that the animals can participate in various projects responsibly. Porpoises will be exposed to a range of EMF, and their behaviour will be observed. The results will then be used to model and quantify potential harbour porpoise EMF disturbance ranges surrounding existing EMF infrastructure. Results of the first stage of the project are expected to be submitted for peer-review publication in 2025.
More about biodiversity
Biodiversity and nature protection are a priority at Vattenfall. It is one of the focus areas in our environmental policy and therefore also a central part in our environmental work.
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