New petition launched to save the Baltic harbour porpoise

CCB • April 20, 2022

With only a few hundred individuals left, the Baltic Proper harbour porpoise is critically endangered [1] and needs urgent protection. For this reason, Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) launched the petition #SaveTheBalticPorpoise [2], addressing the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius, and the Ministers of Environment, Fisheries and Defense in all countries around the Baltic Sea.

 

April 2022 – The Baltic Proper harbour porpoise, the only whale resident in the Baltic Sea which many don’t even know exists, is close to extinction. The most endangered whale in Europe needs concrete conservation measures to be implemented for its protection. On paper, the Baltic harbour porpoise and its habitat are “highly protected” under European Union law [3], both within and outside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), but in practice, this has failed to generate effective conservation.

 

Underwater noise and bycatch [4], along with pollutants and ecosystem changes caused by overfishing and climate change, are the main threats against this cetacean species. Important steps have been taken recently by the European Commission [5], especially in relation to bycatch, but the work is still far from being completed to protect the population throughout its range and save it from extinction.

 

Therefore, we urge the Baltic countries to work together to:

  • Fully protect the harbour porpoise in designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - today many lack proper protection against harmful fishing and underwater noise;
  • Stop harbour porpoise bycatch in the entire Baltic Sea - even a single Baltic porpoise dead in a fishing net could have a devastating impact on population survival;
  • Investigate the possible coexistence of harbour porpoise nature conservation and military underwater activities - Nature conservation and military defense must work together to protect the Baltic porpoise.

 

“We have recently seen the first small step towards protecting this critically endangered population, but it is not enough. We need to act strongly in a timely fashion or the population will be reduced to a point of no return”, says Ida Carlén, CCB Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Officer.

 

This petition is essential to raise attention and awareness to these animals and call on decision makers around the Baltic Sea to put in place concrete and urgent conservation measures. Scientific recommendations [6] and legal requirements are at Baltic Minister’s disposal to change course, setting higher ambitions and taking faster actions to save the Baltic porpoise in time.

 

Only if we act together we will be able to reach the goal and continue to see porpoises swimming in the Baltic Sea in the coming years.

 

 

CONTACT

Ida Carlén, CCB Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Officer: 
ida.carlen (at) ccb.se, +46 70 3133067

 

 

NOTES

CCB – Coalition Clean Baltic is a politically independent, non-profit association, which unites 23 member organizations and 1 observer, with over 850,000 members in all countries around the Baltic Sea. The main goal of CCB is to promote the protection and improvement of the Baltic Sea environment and its natural resources. More info at www.ccb.se.

 

 [1] All about the Baltic harbour porpoise: https://www.ccb.se/baltic-harbour-porpoise

and IUCN Red List, Phocoena phocoena Baltic Sea subpopulation: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/17031/98831650
 

[2] CCB petition to #SaveTheBalticPorpoise: https://you.wemove.eu/campaigns/save-the-baltic-harbour-porpoise and the landing page: https://www.ccb.se/save-the-baltic-porpoise

 

[3] https://www.ccb.se/bycatch-of-critically-endangered-baltic-sea-harbour-porpoise-must-stop 


[4] Bycatch is unintended catch of non-target species, for example marine mammals, in fishing nets. Underwater noise: https://www.ccb.se/publication/underwater-noise-the-neglected-threat-to-marine-life and CCB Baltic Talks.
 

[5] EU Delegated Act (2022): https://www.ccb.se/one-step-in-the-right-direction-to-protect-the-only-whale-in-the-baltic-sea

 

[6] ICES Advice (2020): https://www.ices.dk/news-and-events/news-archive/news/Pages/EmergencyBycatchMeasures.aspx and the scientific paper (2021): https://www.ccb.se/out-of-sight-out-of-mind-how-conservation-is-failing-european-porpoises

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Coalition Clean Baltic – CCB is a politically independent network, uniting 28 environmental non-profit organizations, as well as partners and experts from 11 countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. The main goal of CCB is to promote the protection and improvement of the environment and natural resources of the Baltic Sea region by encouraging new and constructive approaches and engaging people to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. CCB Secretariat is based in Uppsala, Sweden. About the Role Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) is seeking a Marine Policy Officer (parental leave cover) to join its International Secretariat and contribute substantively to regional and EU-level marine advocacy, with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea. The Marine Policy Officer will support the implementation of EU and international marine environmental policy frameworks — notably the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD) and the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) . All work is grounded in the promotion of ecosystem-based management. The role includes close collaboration with the rest of the Secretariat team as well as CCB member organisations to deliver policy initiatives, advocacy actions, and strategic programme objectives. The Marine Policy Officer will also support the International Secretariat in fundraising, with a focus on the EU LIFE operational grant application. Key Responsibilities Policy & Advocacy Support the implementation of CCB’s strategic plan on marine biodiversity policy. Contribute to marine policy advocacy at EU and at Baltic Sea regional levels (e.g. HELCOM, EU Commission expert groups). Provide input to the implementation and revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Collect evidence and views to provide NGO inputs to the forthcoming EU Ocean Act and related initiatives. Support the implementation of the Helsinki Convention and Baltic Sea Action Plan. Engage in the revision processes related to the Marine Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). Programme & Grant Delivery Provide critical support in fundraising, i.e. project proposal development, especially for securing core grant funding (e.g. for the EU LIFE Programme and potentially Horizon programme). Contribute to CCB´s project management, implementation and reporting activities for various projects. Coordination & Monitoring Closely coordinate marine biodiversity policy work with CCB member organisations. Monitor global, EU, and regional marine policy developments. Liaise with partner NGOs and civil society organisations. Communications & Policy Products Draft position papers, policy briefings, consultation inputs and technical reports on relevant files. Support communications and outreach on marine policy issues. Help organise workshops, conferences, and stakeholder events. Represent CCB in policy dialogues, expert groups, and stakeholder forums at the EU and Baltic Sea level. Cross-organisational Support within the Secretariat and its members Contribute to other CCB thematic working areas as required. Profile We are seeking a policy professional who is: Solutions-oriented and adaptable Experienced in advocacy or campaigning Collaborative and team-driven Passionate about marine conservation Organised, diplomatic, and stakeholder-confident Required Qualifications & Experience Demonstrable professional experience in marine or environmental policy. Working knowledge of key EU frameworks, particularly the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Knowledge of Helcom BSAP is an asset. Postgraduate qualification in marine science, ecology, conservation, water management, or related discipline with substantial marine focus. Eligibility to work and travel within the EU (citizenship or valid permit) with residency in Sweden. Excellent written and spoken English. CCB also welcomes applicants from broader environmental policy/law backgrounds who can demonstrate relevant knowledge. Desirable Skills Experience within the NGO or civil society sector preferred. Advocacy or campaigning experience within the EU, the Baltic Sea or international environmental policy processes. Working knowledge of a Baltic Sea region language (e.g. Swedish, Danish, Finnish, German, Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian).
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