Harbour porpoise. © Nicola Hodgins / WDC
13th Meeting of the North Sea Group
Tackling Bycatch and Habitat Threats: Outcomes from the 13th ASCOBANS NSG Meeting
The 13th Meeting of the Steering Group for the ASCOBANS Conservation Plan for Harbour Porpoise in the North Sea (North Sea Group) took place online, on 28 and 29 April 2025. The meeting brought together representatives from North Sea countries, environmental organizations, and invited experts, to assess the current state of harbour porpoise conservation and threat mitigation measures.
NSG12 in session. Photo © ASCOBANS Secretariat.
12th Meeting of the North Sea Group in Zandvoort
The 12th Meeting of the Steering Group for the ASCOBANS Conservation Plan for Harbour Porpoise in the North Sea (North Sea Group) took place in Zandvoort, Netherlands, from 12 to 13 March 2024. The meeting invited representatives from several North Sea countries and other experts to assess the current state of harbour porpoise conservation and develop strategies for future action.
© Nicola Hodgins/WDC
11th Meeting of the North Sea Group
The 11th Meeting of the Steering Group for the ASCOBANS Conservation Plan for Harbour Porpoises in the North Sea (the North Sea Group) took place online from 14 to 15 February 2023. Chaired by Prof. Peter Evans (Bangor University & Sea Watch Foundation UK), the aim of the meeting was to exchange countries' updates on the implementation of actions listed in the Conservation Plan.
Harbor porpoises attracted to oil platforms when searching for food
A large gathering of fish tempts harbor porpoises to search for food around oil and gas platforms, even though the noise from these industrial plants normally to scare the whales away; decommission
Schweinswale werden bei Munitionssprengungen oft tödlich verletzt
Translation from German:
Harbour porpoises are often fatally injured in munitions detonations
Synergies between ASCOBANS and the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation - Harbour Porpoise
This poster explores potential synergies between ASCOBANS and TWSC regarding work on the conservation of the harbour porpoise.
© Florian Graner
10th Meeting of the North Sea Group
The tenth Meeting of the Steering Group for the ASCOBANS Conservation Plan for Harbour Porpoises in the North Sea (the North Sea Group) took place online from 18th to 19th January 2022. Chaired by Prof Peter Evans (Bangor University & Sea Watch Foundation UK), the aim of the meeting was to exchange countries' updates on the implementation of actions listed in the Conservation Plan.
© F. Hobson / Sea Watch Foundation
Analysis on Bycatch Mitigation Measures and Alternative Fishing Methods Published
A new ASCOBANS report detailing a cost-benefit analysis for mitigation measures in fisheries with high bycatch is launched today. The report, authored by Fiona L. Read, reviews the implementation cost and pros and cons of different bycatch mitigation measures and alternative fishing methods.
Cost-benefit Analysis for Mitigation Measures in Fisheries with High Bycatch - ASCOBANS Technical Series No.2
Excerpts from the Executive Summary:
Denmark bets on North Sea carbon capture to hit climate goals
Denmark will allocate 16 billion Danish crowns ($2.43 billion) towards carbon capture and storage subsidies over the coming decade in a move to reach one of the world's most ambitious climate targe