Senckenberg am Meer

Marine Research Department

Wilhelmshaven


“Moin” and welcome!

The Marine Research Division in Wilhelmshaven, with its four sections (Actuopalaeontology, Marine Biology, Marine Geology and Marine Sedimentology), links geological and biological questions of the nearshore Wadden Sea and the open shelf. The regional focus, naturally, concentrates on the North Sea. The Marine Research Division is also linked to international joint research projects and hence takes active part in the geo-biological investigation of the continental edges and seamounts in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea.

Furthermore, we investigate the coastal development of the North Sea, starting from end of the last glacial period. Hence, we are an important co-operation partner in the Nordwest-Verbund Meeresforschung, regarding our current subjects which include sea level change and coastal preservation. The Marine Research Division is increasingly involved in projects of socio-economic relevance, regarding the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Richtlinie (FFH) and the Vogelschutzrichtlinie (VRL) in the German exclusive economic zone (EEZ). These involve the changing North Sea, the overly concerning rise in sea level, increasing temperatures, species invasion, and increased economic utilization (wind farms, tourism, resources, shipping traffic, etc). For these purposes, the Senckenberg Marine Research  in Wilhelmshaven has many biological long-term series spanning several decades, which clearly document the change of the North Sea. With its research vessel “Senckenberg” and its seafaring boats in the Wadden Sea, the Marine Research Division can be found almost daily “on site”.