Harbor Porpoise Project

 

Biota Maxima’s Harbor Porpoise Project has changed a species that was “too difficult to monitor” to a species that is now recognized as a sentinel for the health of the Salish Sea. We used a strong citizen science program that trained volunteers to work with scientists to collect observation data, and we used six underwater monitors to collect acoustic data continuously.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife had listed the harbor porpoise as a Candidate Species of Concern but did not have the funding for a status review. Canada has listed them as a Species of Special Concern because of their sensitivity to human activities. Now, the Puget Sound Partnership is considering the harbor porpoise as one of the indicator species for their clean-up effort. Our work will assist these agencies to better manage marine resources through the information we have recorded and methods we have developed, described in the links below:

• Harbor Porpoise Project History. Read about the history of our work with harbor porpoises.
• Workshop. Statement of needs from Harbor Porpoise Workshop 2013
• Sentinel Species. A consideration of the harbor porpoise as a sentinel species.
• Videos. Watch videos of harbor porpoises made during our project work.
• Vancouver Aquarium work. Read about our acoustic work with Daisy, the rescued harbor porpoise at Vancouver Aquarium.
• History of Human Impacts on the Harbor Porpoise population.
• Project observation data. View harbor porpoise observation data recorded by our project participants.
• Reports. Read reports about our work starting in 2009.
• Marine Mammal Identification and Behavior. This PowerPoint includes photos and information about the different marine mammals you might see at Burrows Pass or Rosario. In the last ten years, quite a number of species have appeared or increased their presence.
• WDFW Status of harbor porpoise. Read about how the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife designates a Species of Concern. The harbor porpoise is a candidate for this listing.
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Photo credits: Florian Graner, Aileen Jeffries, Peter Morrison, Vancouver Aquarium, Steven Gnam