Harbour Porpoise Abundance in Portugal over a 5-Year Period and Estimates of Potential Distribution.

ABSTRACT: The Iberian porpoise population is small and under potentially unsustainable removal by fisheries bycatch. Recently, a marine Site of Community Importance (SCI) was legally approved in Portugal, but no measures ensued to promote porpoise conservation. Information about porpoise abundance and distribution is fundamental to guide any future conservation measures. Annual aerial surveys conducted between 2011 and 2015 show a low overall porpoise abundance and density (2254 individuals; 0.090 ind/km², CV = 21.99%) in the Portuguese coast. The highest annual porpoise estimates were registered in 2013 (3207 individuals, 0.128 ind/km²), followed by a sharp decrease in 2014 (1653 individuals, 0.066 ind/km²). The porpoise density and abundance estimated in 2015 remai

SUBMITTER: Torres-Pereira A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9367303 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature