Save the Baltic porpoise
We urge decision makers in Europe and the Baltic Sea Region to act now to protect the most threatened whale in European waters – the critically endangered Baltic Proper harbour porpoise.
The Baltic harbour porpoise needs your help!
WHY IS THE BALTIC PORPOISE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED?
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo - Solvin Zankl, Fjord & Bælt, Denmark
Porpoises get caught in fishing nets and drown when they cannot come to the surface to breathe.
Underwater noise can cause both physical injuries and disturbance.
Environmental pollutants can lower fertility and cause vulnerability to disease.
The harbour porpoise is the
only whale resident in the Baltic Sea.
It has been present here since the Baltic Sea formed some 10 000 years ago, but today there is only a small remnant of the historical population left. With only a few hundred animals, the Baltic harbour porpoise is
critically endangered , and urgent measures are needed to save the population.
On paper the Baltic harbour porpoise and its habitat are “highly protected” under European Union law, both within and outside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), but in practice, this has failed to generate effective conservation.
To this day, not even MPAs specifically designated to protect the porpoise provide a safe haven from fishing that can cause bycatch, let alone areas outside MPAs. Underwater noise is not regulated in MPAs for harbour porpoises. Baltic Member States are slow to act and the ambitions set are too low. The Baltic harbour porpoise is critically endangered and needs to be strictly protected throughout its range.
Since May 2021 we have been working with the two Swedish adventurers Måns Kämpe and Sören Kjellkvist to raise awareness and save the endangered Baltic whale, the harbour porpoise. You can read more about their adventure here .
Photo credits
- BEFORE: Héloïse Hamel
/ AFTER: Getty Images - Cobalt
WHAT COUNTRIES AROUND THE BALTIC MUST DO TO
#SAVETHEBALTICPORPOISE
01
Take effective conservation measures in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for harbour porpoises.
This can include seasonal or full-year closures of high-risk fisheries, re-routing of shipping lanes and strict limitations of offshore constructions.
02
Minimize bycatch of harbour porpoises in the entire Baltic Sea.
The Baltic harbour porpoise is critically endangered, and even one animal bycaught each year is too much. Therefore, protecting porpoises in MPAs is not enough, we have to stop bycatch in the entire Baltic Sea. This can be done by using acoustic deterrent devices, pingers, on fishing nets. However, some Baltic countries now claim that pingers pose a threat to military underwater activities and national security.
03
The military should work together with conservation to find viable solutions for bycatch mitigation.
The military could conduct at-sea tests and closely assess the effects of pingers on military underwater activities and the possibilities for co-existence. If pingers are shown to be a security risk, alternative conservation measures need to be implemented.
04
Increase efforts to develop and implement alternative fishing gear that does not cause harbour porpoise bycatch.
Porpoises are mostly bycaught in static fishing nets. Alternative fishing gear that do not cause harbour porpoise bycatch include for example pots, traps and longlines, but developments are still needed.
HOW CAN
YOU
HELP?
Your signature is vital to protect the only whale in the Baltic Sea!
Add your voice to the
petition and
help us to push decision makers around the Baltic Sea to put in place concrete and urgent conservation measures to
#SaveTheBalticPorpoise!
Video credit: Claus Eriksen (2021).
Share the petition
VOICES OF THE PETITIONERS
19 MAY 2024
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF
THE BALTIC HARBOUR PORPOISE
On Sunday, 19 May 2024, we will celebrate the International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise!
Stay tuned for more info.
TAKE MORE ACTION!
1.
Share the
link
to the petition with your friends and family.
2. Use the hashtag #SavetheBalticPorpoise to show your support.
3. Contact your politicians directly and ask them to protect the Baltic porpoise from bycatch and underwater noise.
4. Report if you see a harbour porpoise (here are link to national reporting pages).
5. Give your support and donate to protect this endangered species.
6.
Follow us on social media
and share knowledge
with your friends and family.
@Raddatumlaren
@raddatumlaren
For more information:
CCB Secretariat: secretariat (at)
ccb.se