Seagull police on the beach: free food after seagull attacks!

Seagull police on the beach: free food after seagull attacks!

A new initiative is causing a stir on Warnemünde Beach: the “Seagull Police”. In front of the Wal-Bar, which is run by Nemo Borowski, there is a poster with this inscription, which informs holidaymakers about the dangers of aggressive seagull attacks. Borowski initiated this concept last year to offer compensation to guests who fall victim to seagull attacks. If food is lost due to such an attack, affected guests will receive a free replacement as long as the attack is reported immediately after purchase.

Last season, around ten seagull attacks were recorded every day on the Baltic Sea, with a total of around 840 attacks on unprotected food and drinks. Holidaymakers who enjoy their freshly prepared fish sandwiches or other delicacies outdoors often have to worry about them. The attacks are so frequent that one restaurateur reported 30 incidents in the first three days after opening. Against this background, Borowski estimates the cost of his “seagull policy” at around 30 euros per day, with the total investment in the season being around 5,000 euros.

Service and recommendations for guests

The “Seagull Policy” will continue this season, which begins on June 7th and runs until September 6th. The Wal-Bar is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays until midnight. The menu includes five different burgers as well as vegetarian and vegan options, sandwiches, salad bowls and numerous variations of fries. Prices range from 5 to 12 euros, with a classic burger costing 8 euros and a portion of fries available for 5 euros.

In order to minimize the risk of a seagull attack, Borowski gives some recommendations to guests: They should always cover their food with their hands and stay under the protection of awnings. While Wal-Bar offers its customers a solution to the annoying birds, feeding seagulls remains prohibited and can result in high fines.

The discussion about moorland seagulls

Seagulls are not only a typical sight on the Baltic Sea, but also a common nuisance for holidaymakers. There are always discussions about shooting birds. This would be legally permitted, but in practice it is rarely implemented. A survey shows that over half of respondents oppose such shooting, reflecting the need felt by many people to accept the seagulls as part of coastal life, despite their aggressive foraging.

In Warnemünde, the “seagull policy” remains a practical and innovative answer to the challenges that these birds bring with them. While the debate over their control continues, Borowski's concept ensures that guests can continue to enjoy their time on the beach without any worries.