15 May 2016: Celebrating the International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise

This year’s International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise (IDBHP) will be celebrated on the weekend of 14 and 15 May 2016.

So why does a little whale have its own special day, celebrated this year for the 14th time?

Globally, there are still many harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), distributed widely in the northern hemisphere. However, not all porpoises are the same! The population in the Baltic Sea, which has made this brackish ecosystem its home, is genetically different from the animals inhabiting areas further west. It is a small population, estimated in recent research to number less than 500 animals (www.sambah.org) – and the trend is downwards. Hence, the IUCN Red List has categorized the Baltic harbour porpoise as critically endangered.

If the Baltic harbour porpoise is to survive, it needs effective protection, which requires the engagement and support of all stakeholders in the Baltic Sea environment. The IDBHP serves to raise awareness of this little neighbour in the waters of the Baltic, and to encourage all to do what they can to help the population recover.

Information about IDBHP events held this year will be posted on the Facebook Event Page. Please join in and share!

Last updated on 19 December 2016

Type: 
News item
Region: 
Baltic Sea
Species: 
Phocoena phocoena
Species group: 
Marine mammals