Status of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Danish waters

• Main Authors: Teilmann, J., Lowry, N.
• Format: Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1996
• Subjects: Harbour porpoise; Phocoena phocoena
• Online Access: https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/status-of-the-harbour-porpoise-phocoena-phocoena-in-danish-waters(355a1334-a57a-4cc7-9bf0-4a3408ce9d31).html; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030463381&partnerID=8YFLogxK

Total abundance in Danish waters is estimated as approximately 100 000 animals. Population density varies considerably by area. There are probably at least two stocks, one in the North Sea and the other in the inner Danish waters and the Baltic. The paper reviews potential threats to harour porpoise including chemical pollutants, direct exploitation, increased vessel traffic, decreased prey abundance, disease, predation and oil spills. The main threat at present seems to be the levels of bycatch in fishing gear.