Protect the Baltic Harbour Porpoise

Summary

Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is the only resident whale in the Baltic Sea, and this subpopulation is listed by the IUCN and HELCOM as “critically endangered”. The primary threat to this species is bycatch in gillnet fisheries, but underwater noise, pollution and ecosystem changes also negatively affect the population status. Establishing good MPAs can be a suitable measure to ensure the protection of habitats and to mitigate disturbances, but they need to be well managed to show effect.

The main goal of this project was to establish a well-managed Marine Protected Area (MPA) covering the main breeding area of the harbour porpoises in the Baltic Sea in order to improve their population status, mainly in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone. Activities included stakeholder involvement and process facilitation, as well as communication and creating support.

Due to some difficulties in the MPA consultation process, some activities were changed, but the project still started a process that is very likely to lead to significant improvement in the management of the Baltic harbour porpoise populations, not only in the Swedish MPA area but in the entire Baltic Sea.