Management options

Policy and legislation Monitoring and controlling gill nets and other set net fisheries; Continuing the duty on sea fisheries regulators, to take account of potential wider impacts on wildlife and habitats (in addition to target species) when deciding fishery management measures; Considering alternative mitigation measures to reduce harbour porpoise bycatch, such as targeted restriction of fishing effort in the priority gear types and fisheries; Initiating infringement procedures in the case of EU Member States that are neither implementing the provisions of 812/2004 nor making concerted efforts to enable them to do so in the short-term; Improving coastal water quality by reducing the discharge of substances which are toxic, persistent and liable to bioaccumulate; Continuing to introduce agreed codes of conduct to reduce disturbance from acoustic sources and physical pressures. Site safeguard and management Reviewing existing UK marine site protection to determine how it might be improved. If appropriate, introducing additional protection and emergency designation to benefit the species. Future Research and Monitoring Establishing long-term research on the areas frequented by harbour porpoise, to identify waters which may qualify for further protection as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s) or Marine Nature Reserves