Taxonomy

Phocoena phocoena | Common Porpoise

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING
RangeFavourable
PopulationFavourable
HabitatFavourable
Future ProspectsFavourable
Overall  Assessment of Conservation StatusFavourable
Overall Trend in Conservation StatusFavourable
Source: NPWS 2013.

IUCN Conservation Status

Ireland
Not evaluated*
Europe (1)Least concern**
Global (2)Least concern

** The European Regional IUCN Red List Assessment shows Phoceona phocoena as 'Vulnerable (A2cde)', however notes in the Assessment indicate that the 'Vulnerable' assessment is mainly due to declines in the Black Sea Population, which is completly isolated from the North Atlantic population. It is recommended in the Assessment that 'this part of the European population [North Atlantic] should be considered Least Concern'.

Sources: (1) European Mammal Assessment Team 2007. (2) Hammond, P.S. et al 2008.


* There is currently no Irish Red List for Marine Mammals.


Legal status

Protected by the following legal instruments:

  • Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Annex II, Annex IV
  • Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix II
  • Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention) Appendix  II*
  • Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II
  • The Convention for the Protection of the marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR)
  • Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004
  • Wildlife Act (1976)
  • Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
  • Whale Fisheries Act 1937
*Only particular populations are protected by this Convention, but individuals of some of those populations may occur in Irish waters.

Native status

The 2008 IUCN Global Red List for this species lists Ireland as one of the countries where it is native.

Source: Hammond, P.S. et al 2008.

Recorded throughout the year with little variation in seasonal abundances. Calving occurs in Irish waters.

Source; Wall, D. et al 2013.

Species Biology

Identification

  • Max. body length: 1.9m
  • Average body length: 1.5m – 1.6m [females are larger than males]
  • Blow: Rarely seen but can be heard in calm conditions
  • Head: Small rounded
  • Beak: No forehead or distinct beak
  • Dorsal Fin: Small, triangular, slightly curved trailing edge.
  • Colouring / Markings: Black with pale belly, white extending up sides a little beneath dorsal fin.
The Harbour Porpoise is the smallest cetacean in Irish waters and our only porpoise species. They can be difficult to see, especially in choppy sea or large swell. Diving gannets and feeding seabirds that often associate with foraging porpoises may point to their whereabouts. Brief glimpses are typically of a small dark back and triangular dorsal fin, which roll forward out of the water on surfacing, their heads or tail flukes very rarely showing. Because of their slow movement, they generally do not produce any splashes, which is more typical of dolphins. In calm conditions they can be detected by the sound of their short, sharp blows, which are can be heard but are generally not visible. When active, they may surface at 10– 20 second intervals about four times in a row, before diving for 2– 6 minutes. Harbour Porpoises may spend periods of inactivity resting at the surface.

Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

Habitat

Globally the species ranges from sub-tropical to subarctic waters in the northern hemisphere. It is mostly found over continental shelf, very often within 10kms of the coast. This species may be encountered in estuaries, bays and around coastal headlands.

Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.

Habitats;

  • Marine water body (M)

Sources: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.

Reproduction

  • Max. life expectancy: 24 years
  • Average life expectancy: 14 – 15 years
  • Male / Female sexual maturity: 2 - 4 years
  • Gestation period: 11 months
  • Calves born: May – Aug. Strong peak in June

Sightings are common from June on through the autumn / winter, but reduced encounter rates from well-watched sites such as Howth Head, Dublin and the Old Head of Kinsale, Cork suggest this species moves offshore in spring between March and June. Where they go is unknown, but the fact that encounter rates increase in June, when calves are first recorded suggests they move to offshore calving / breeding grounds.

Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

Threats faced

THREAT
ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE
RANKING
Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources*
F02Medium
Seismic exploration, explosions
H06.05Medium
Death or injury by collision
G05.11
Low
Noise nuisance, noise pollution
H06.01
Low
Marine water pollution
H03
Low
Changes in abiotic conditionsM01Low
Source: NPWS 2013.

*This would include the threat to this species of becoming by-catch / accidental catch as well as the threat of a reduction in prey availability and also entanglement in fishing gear.

These threats accord well with threats outlined in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment for the species which did not identify any other threats that may be relevant in Irish waters.

Source: European Mammal Assessment Team 2007.


Conservation actions

In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 listed Conservation Measures in place or in the process of being implemented were;

  • Establishment of protected areas / sites (6.1)
  • Legal protection of habitats and species (6.3)
  • Regulation / Management of fishery in marine and brackish systems (7.3)
  • Regulating / Managing exploitation of natural resources on sea (9.2)
  • Regulation/ Management of hunting and taking (7.1)
Source: NPWS 2013.

Apart from the acknowledgement of the existence of legislative protection, there were no suggested Conservation Actions in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List that are relevant to Irish waters.

Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007.


In a 2009 Cetacean Action Plan a total of 41 Actions were identified as part of the plan. The plan and the 2013 review of the plan are available from the NPWS website.

Source: DEHLG 2009; NPWS 2013a.

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Northern hemisphere in cold temperate to sub-polar waters, records chiefly from over continental shelf.

Accuracy of world distribution shown in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) map below will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held but not shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.


Irish distribution

Harbour Porpoises are widespread around the entire Irish coast, but perhaps more abundant in the Irish Sea.

Source: Wall D. et al 2013.


Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.

How can you help

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to improve our knowledge on the distribution of the Common, or Harbour Porpoise in Ireland. Should you observe this species, please submit sightings to add to the database. Detailed observations will assist us gaining a better insight into where the species is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at:

http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php


All records submitted online can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked and validated these will be added to the database and made available for conservation and research.

Further information

For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie

References

Publications

DEHLG (2009) Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters.

Fossitt, J.A. (2001) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council

Hammond, P.S., Bearzi, G., Bjørge, A., Forney, K., Karczmarski, L., Kasuya, T., Perrin, W.F., Scott, M.D., Wang, J.Y., Wells, R.S. & Wilson, B. 2008. Phocoena phocoena. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 13 October 2014.

Harris S., Yalden D.W. (2008). Mammals of the British Isles :Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society.

Species account by IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group; regional assessment by European Mammal Assessment team 2007. Phocoena phocoena. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 13 October 2014.

NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland.  Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.

NPWS (2013a) Delivery Schedule for Actions listed in the Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters – June 2013

Wall, D., Murray, C., O’Brien, J., Kavanagh, L., Wilson, C., Ryan, C., Glanville, B., Williams, D., Enlander, I., O’Connor, I., McGrath, D., Whooley, P. & Berrow, S. (2013). Atlas of the Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in Irish Offshore Waters: 2005 – 2011. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, Co. Clare.





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