Harbour porpoise
Phocoena phocoena
Historically, porpoises, dolphins and whales (cetacea
ns) have not been well recorded in the southern North Sea, and Essex coastal waters. In 1995 the Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena was added to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan list.
The Harbour porpoise is being surveyed using a POD device and sightings cards which members of the public can complete and return to us. The cards facilitate the collection of protected species data and raises awareness of the presence of these animals along the Essex coastline. The data collected is shared with national conservation organisations.
Harbour Porpoise Survey 2003 (PDF 49 KB)
Harbour Porpoise Survey 2004 (PDF 134 KB)
Harbour Porpoise Survey 2005 (PDF 882 KB)
In 2008, the counties of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk decided to coordinate their cetacean sightings. This will give a clearer picture of cetacean distribution along the whole of the East Anglian coast, enabling us to provide more effective protection for these elusive animals. A report detailing the sightings in Essex for 2007 to 2008 has been produced.
Harbour Porpoise Survey 2008 (PDF 1.2MB)
The sightings survey card, including line drawings of the species likely to be encountered, can be download below. Any sightings of marine mammals can be recorded on the form and returned to us by post or by emailing Mark Iley (marki@essexwt.org.uk)
Harbour Porpoise Survey card (PDF 265 KB)
For an article giving an overview of the Harbour Porpoise go to http://tinyurl.com/qggfhq