A note on the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the coastal waters of Spain

lnformation on the harbour porpoise in Spanish waters was collected and reviewed, giving an updated list of observations (strandings, incidental catches and sightings) for the period 1 978-94. The species was recorded throughout the period studied, although the number of stranded animals varied from year to year, appearing year round but most frequently in March. At present the species is absent from the western Mediterranean, although there are indications of its sporadic presence in the area of the Gibraltar Straits and at sorne points of the north African coast. Recent data from the Canary and Azores Islands may indica te a retraction of the area of distribution of the species from this part of the Atlantic. Harbour porpoises still seem to be relatively abundan! on the west coast of Spain judging from the incidence of strandings and by observations made at sea. A regression in the area of distribution of the species in the Bay of Biscay may also have taken place