Current status
There is some evidence of a decline in numbers of harbour porpoise in UK waters since the 1940s, especially in the southern North Sea and English Channel. The conservation status of the species around the whole UK coast is unknown, but the recent "SCANS" survey of small cetaceans in the North Sea, Channel and Celtic Sea indicated the population in those waters was approximately 350,000.
The harbour porpoise is listed on Appendix II of CITES, Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the EC Habitats Directive. It is also on Appendix 2 of the Bonn Convention and is covered by the terms of the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS), a regional agreement under the Bonn Convention. It is protected under Schedule 5 of the WCA 1981.
Current factors causing loss or decline
The current factors affecting this species are not clear but may include:
Incidental capture and drowning in fishing nets.
Environmental contaminants (toxic substances at sea, marine debris, disease, noise disturbance)
Environmental change (effects of fishing and possibly climate change)
Current action
Distribution studies have been undertaken by JNCC since 1980. The Sea Mammal Research Unit co-ordinated the international "SCANS" survey in 1994.
Studies of the scale and effects of by-catch by SMRU and others will take place during 1995-1998.
Experiments to increase the acoustic detectability of fishing nets have been undertaken to reduce by-catch.
Guidelines to minimise the effects of acoustic disturbance from seismic surveys have been agreed with the oil and gas industry and published by DOE.
Post mortem and tissue studies of stranded corpses are carried out on stranded specimens to establish the cause of death and condition of the animals at the time of death.
Conservation, management and research action is being undertaken and planned under ASCOBANS.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain the current geographical range of the harbour porpoise.
Maintain the current abundance of the harbour porpoise.
In the long-term ensure that no anthropogenic factors inhibit a return to waters that it previously occupied
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Extend the ASCOBANS boundary to include the Western Approaches and the Irish Sea through a bilateral treaty with the Republic of Ireland and agreement of ASCOBANS Parties. (ACTION: DoE, DoE(NI))
Seek to improve coastal water quality by reducing the discharge of substances which are toxic, persistent and liable to bioaccumulate, giving priority to phasing out identifiable PCBs, and reducing discharges of organohalogens to safe levels. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF, NRA, SEPA, SOAEFD)
Continue the duty on sea fisheries regulators to take account of potential wider impacts on wildlife and habitats (in addition to target species) when deciding fishery management measures. (ACTION: DANI, DoE, MAFF, SOAEFD)
Consider, in the light of research at 3.2, the possible need to monitor and control gill nets and other set net fisheries. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Continue to introduce agreed codes of conduct to reduce disturbance from acoustic sources and physical pressures. (ACTION: CCW, NE, DoE(NI), JNCC, SNH)
Site safeguard and management
Review existing UK marine site protection to determine how it might be improved. If appropriate, introduce additional protection and emergency designation to benefit the species. (ACTION: DoE, DoE(NI), JNCC, SOAEFD)
Species management and protection
Work with fishers with the aim of reducing and avoiding by-catches in active and passive gear, and to dispose of discarded gear safely. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Introduce codes of practice to reduce disturbance from whale-watching.(ACTION: CCW, DoE(NI), NE, JNCC, SNH,)
Advisory
None proposed.
Future Research and Monitoring
Expand research on the areas frequented by harbour porpoise to identify waters which may qualify for further protection as SACs or Marine Nature Reserves. (ACTION: DoE(NI), JNCC)
Establish long-term research on population and conservation needs of all small cetaceans in UK waters, co-ordinated through ASCOBANS. (ACTION: DoE, DOE(NI), JNCC)
Subject to the results of the research at 3.2, consider monitoring of UK population and reporting of by-catches of small cetaceans (including observers on vessels, where feasible). (ACTION: DANI, JNCC, MAFF, SOAEFD)
Seek to minimise the by-catch of small cetaceans by promoting research into fishing gear and other possible mechanisms. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF, SOAEFD)
Promote research into the causes of death of the harbour porpoise within UK waters to determine the context and need for future conservation action. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, DoE(NI), NE, JNCC, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to JNCC or BRC in order that it can be incorporated in a national database and contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date Red List. (ACTION: CCW, DoE(NI), NE, SNH)
Communications and Publicity
Subject to the results of research at 3.2, consider the need to encourage fishermen to report sightings and by-catches through an awareness programme. (ACTION: DANI, DoE, MAFF, SOAEFD)
Encourage international exchange of information to assess and, if appropriate, reduce by-catches. (ACTION: DANI, DoE, JNCC, MAFF)
Continue to publicise reporting schemes for strandings and live-sightings. (ACTION: CCW, DoE(NI), NE, SNH, SOAEFD)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume V: Maritime species and habitats (October 1999, Tranche 2, Vol V, p21)