Harbor Porpoise

Photo Credit: Craig Hayslip, OSU Marine Mammal Institute

Overview

Species Common Name Harbor Porpoise
Species Scientific Name Phocoena phocoena

Ecoregions

Nearshore

The Nearshore ecoregion includes a variety of habitats ranging from submerged high-relief rocky reefs to broad expanses of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and hosts a vast array of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, plants, and micro-organisms. This ecoregion encompasses the area from the outer boundary of Oregon’s Territorial Sea to the supra-tidal zone, and up into the estuaries.

Special needs

This acoustically-oriented species is highly sensitive to noise disturbance.

Limiting factors

Harbor porpoises have low productivity and are sensitive to anthropogenic noise.

Data gaps

Describe long-term population trends. Evaluate the impacts of ocean renewable energy development on harbor porpoises.

Conservation actions

Ensure adequate prey base through coastal fish resource conservation. Observe federal Marine Mammal Protection Act protections. Monitor and minimize impacts from ocean energy development.

Key reference or plan

Marine Mammal Protection Act

Life History Traits