Marine Wildlife

Wild Harbour Porpoise UK Population

Harbour porpoises are the UK's most common cetacean. Understanding their welfare threats informs conservation and management priorities.

Key Facts

UK harbour porpoise population numbers in the tens of thousands
Bycatch in gillnets and trawls is the primary human-caused welfare threat
They are sensitive to noise pollution from shipping, sonar, and offshore construction
Porpoises starving due to prey depletion show deteriorating body condition
Population surveys indicate UK populations are stable but regional declines occur

Welfare Considerations

Harbour porpoises caught in fishing gear drown, causing distressing death. Those exposed to loud noise from offshore construction suffer acute hearing damage and disorientation. Prey depletion from overfishing causes chronic nutritional stress. Multiple simultaneous threats require coordinated management to protect porpoise welfare and population viability.

What You Can Do

Support Marine Conservation Society campaigns for gillnet bycatch reduction
Advocate for marine protected areas with restrictions on harmful activities
Report harbour porpoise strandings to CSIP to contribute to population monitoring