The Baltic Sea porpoise is currently endangered, with its population at historically low levels. The EU wants Sweden to implement measures to save it. But it turns out to be more difficult than expected.
The greatest threat to the remaining porpoises is getting caught in fishing nets. There are ways to warn porpoises about the nets, but the military has now put a stop to them, citing security risks to military operations.
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation has closely followed the developments and is outraged that nothing is being done. Is there no hope left for the Baltic Sea whale?
The porpoise is a small toothed whale and the only species of whale that lives in Swedish waters all year round. It grows to a length of just over 1.5 metres. They do not usually jump like dolphins, but are recognisable by their small triangular dorsal fin when they ‘tumble around’ at the water’s edge. Porpoises live alone or in small groups consisting of a mother and calf. They reach sexual maturity at around 3 years of age and can give birth to one calf per year.
Porpoises mainly eat small fish and squid. They have many small, spade-shaped teeth. The greatest threats to porpoises are fishing gear and environmental toxins that impair their health. The population in the Baltic Sea is endangered. Few porpoises live to be over 12 years old; the oldest known porpoise was just over 20 years old.
In Sweden, they are divided into three populations: the North Sea population, the Belt Sea population and the Baltic Sea population.
The situation on the west coast is relatively good, while porpoises in the Baltic Sea are threatened by environmental toxins, infections, underwater noise and getting caught in fishing nets and drowning. The Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA) has collaborated with the Swedish Museum of Natural History to compile data from 140 necropsied porpoises to find out more about them and the causes of their deaths.
It is believed that there are only about 500 individuals left in the Baltic Sea, and the population is classified as critically endangered. The threats to this small whale are many. However, there still seems to be some hope – if the porpoise receives sufficient protection.
Source: SVA and Havet.nu
