Protect wildlife while you paddle

With lockdowns easing across the world, and people wanting to connect more with nature, water sports are rising in popularity.

According to the International Water Sports Federation (IWSF), taking part in aquatic sports has countless benefits for mental and physical health. What could be more serene than drifting down a river on a kayak or paddleboard, or dipping your toes into a crystal-clear lake, or splashing about in the tide at sunrise?

“We are getting instances of really quite rare birds being disturbed and pushed off their nests and left unable to breed.”

John Lister-Kaye, naturalist and author

But what about the animals sharing this water world? Can the actions of a few really have far-reaching effects on wildlife?

The answer is yes, which is why wildlife groups are urging water sports enthusiasts to be cautious on the water and avoid encroaching on the wildlife that lives in and near it.

“There’s been a rush [from water sports enthusiasts], and we are getting instances of really quite rare birds being disturbed and pushed off their nests and left unable to breed," said John Lister-Kaye, naturalist and author.

The problem became so pronounced in certain Scotland, UK, that water sports enthusiasts have been asked to stay away. For example in Loch Kinord in the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve boaters, paddleboarders and swimmers were keep off the water during June because of concerns about the impact to breeding wildlife.

“Numbers of birds using the loch noticeably increased as soon as the revised guidance came in, and we hope that in most cases the birds will have successfully reared their broods," said reserve manager Catriona Reid.

It’s not just birds that can be affected – otters, voles, fish and all manner of marine life can be impacted by swimming, fishing and board sports.

There are often-complex links between biodiversity and water sports. The main environmental impacts tend to fall into four key categories - noise pollution from engines and humans, pollution from the motors of speedboats and other craft, the degradation of shorelines from massive waves, and disturbing wildlife.

“Numbers of birds using the loch noticeably increased as soon as the revised guidance came in, and we hope that in most cases the birds will have successfully reared their broods.”

Catriona Reid, Loch Kinord in the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve

Hearteningly, water sports enthusiasts have a huge play their part in improving biodiversity. Every passionate stand-up paddle-boarder, engaged fisherman or committed swimmer can raise public awareness of the value of nature and influence attitudes towards biodiversity and its conservation.

A great example of this is a new Dutch project, called the Future is Water Initiative (FIWI), which aims to bring sport together with the world of water and environmental issues to increase communication and collaboration.

“The Future is Water is an initiative of the Royal Dutch Watersport Association and sports marketing agency TIG Sports,” said spokesperson Annalise Shenk. “We feel like we have a powerful and unique platform to reach a wide audience by connecting the world of watersports to the great challenges around sustainability, climate and particularly water.”

Since launching in 2020, FIWI offers a platform for watersports initiatives that contribute to sustainability want to make a positive impact on society and the environment. It currently offers an education programme for young people called The World of Water, which is currently working across 800 schools, and developed a ‘Water Lab’ which FIWI take to events such as the Olympic Festival to engage the public with the issues around water.