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"Porpoise invasion" in Belgian rivers not without danger

Since the end of March, harbour porpoises have been spotted on a very regular basis in the river Scheldt and even smaller rivers like the Rupel. There are reports of several dozen being spotted at the same time. The Flemish environmental organisation Natuurpunt is worried, because the Belgian rivers pose a lot of dangers to this protected species which is related to whales.

The first porpoise this year was spotted on 27 March in the Scheldt. Three, possibly four animals were swimming in the Scheldt near the city of Antwerp (photo: archive photo).

Since then, various other porpoises were seen, as far upstream as Melle (near Ghent) and Rumst (Antwerp province). There is a clear increase compared to previous years, although harbour porpoises have always liked to venture up rivers.

However, this new "territory" also involves new dangers. Porpoises die because they are hit by ships, or because they get stuck in a ship's lock. Others swim into a large dock and can't get back to the sea. At least 8 porpoises were killed in recent times, with 3 sustaining injuries, Natuurpunt says. The organisation demands measures: "We need a protection plan. Porpoises are a protected species in Europe."

Harbour porpoises are one of the smaller marine animals. They can grow to a length of 7 feet and weigh 60 kilos.

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