Porpoises return to endangered list

The porpoise has been listed as an endangered species by the United States government, due to their dwindling population.

The marine mammals had been taken off of the list in 2016, but new data from the National Marine Fisheries Service has shown that their numbers have continued to decline.

"The decision to relist the porpoise is based on the best available science, which shows that the population has declined by more than 97 percent since the 1950s and continues to decline," said a statement from NOAA Fisheries.

There are estimated to be only around 6,000 harbor porpoises left in the world, and they are found mainly in the eastern North Pacific.

Habitat degradation and vessel strikes are among the main threats to their survival.

Porpoises are often killed when they get caught in fishing gear, and their lungs can collapse if they are brought up too quickly from deep water.

In recent years, NOAA Fisheries has worked to reduce such deaths by working with fishermen to change how they fish and by developing better gear designs.

Loss of porpoises a blow to ecosystem

In the last few years, there has been a significant decline in the population of harbor porpoises in the Bay of Fundy. This is alarming, as these marine mammals are an integral part of the ecosystem, playing a significant role in maintaining the balance of the food web.

Harbor porpoises are small cetaceans that inhabit coastal waters around the world. In the Bay of Fundy, they are one of the main predators of Atlantic cod, and also prey on other small fish and invertebrates. They are an important part of the food web, helping to keep populations of their prey under control.

The reason for the recent decline in their population is not known, but it is thought to be due to several factors, including entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, and climate change. The loss of these marine mammals is a major blow to the ecosystem in the Bay of Fundy and may have far-reaching consequences for its health.

The bay is home to a diverse array of marine life, including many species that are found nowhere else on earth. The loss of even a single species can have a ripple effect throughout the ecosystem. For example, if there are fewer harbour porpoises preying on Atlantic cod, then there may be more cod available to be caught by fishermen. This could have serious implications for both the fishermen and the overall health of the ecosystem.

The future health of the bay is uncertain, but it is clear that we need to do more to protect its delicate balance. This includes measures such as reducing pollution and protecting areas where harbor porpoises congregate. We must also continue to research why their population has declined so dramatically and take steps to address any threats that we find. The health of our oceans depends on it.

Porpoise population on the rise

In a recent study, researchers found that the porpoise population is on the rise. The study, which was published in the journal Marine Mammal Science, used aerial surveys to estimate the number of harbor porpoises in the Northeast U.S. and Atlantic Canada.

The researchers found that there are now about 19,000 harbor porpoises in these regions, which is a significant increase from the numbers seen in earlier studies. The researchers say that this increase is likely due to efforts to protect the animals, such as fishery closures and reduced boat speeds in areas where they congregate.

"We were really happy to see that the population seems to be doing well," said one of the study's authors, Stefanie Kappenman. "This suggests that our management measures are effective and that we can continue with these approaches to help conserve this species."

Harbor porpoises are small marine mammals that are closely related to dolphins. They are typically found close to shore in coastal waters, and they feed on fish and crustaceans. They are considered vulnerable to extinction due to their low reproductive rate and susceptibility to noise and pollution.

The new study provides some of the most comprehensive data on harbor porpoise populations ever collected in the region. It also provides information on how populations vary between different parts of the region. This information will be helpful for developing future conservation strategies for these animals.

Porpoises making a comeback in Puget Sound

For years, the porpoise population in Puget Sound has been on the decline. But recent surveys show that their numbers are starting to rebound.

"This is really great news," said Monica Deangelis, a research biologist with NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). "Puget Sound is an important habitat for these animals, and it's great to see them coming back."

Porpoises are small cetaceans – members of the whale family. They are usually gray or black in color, and can grow up to six feet long. They are shy and seldom seen by humans, but they play an important role in the health of marine ecosystems.

Puget Sound used to be home to a large population of porpoises, but their numbers have been declining for years. The main threats to their survival are pollution and vessel strike.

In recent years, NOAA has been working with local partners to improve the health of Puget Sound and its marine life. One of the agency's priorities has been to help protect porpoises from becoming victims of vessel strike. This includes educational outreach to boaters and fishermen, as well as developing new technologies to help reduce the risk of collision.

According to Deangelis, these efforts seem to be paying off. "The populations appear to be slowly increasing overall, which is really good news," she said.

Research sheds light on porpoise behavior

For many years, porpoises have been one of the marine mammals that remain largely a mystery to scientists. But thanks to new research, some of their behavior is finally being understood.

One study recently published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology looked at the pods of dolphins and porpoises that gather at "hot spots" around the world. These areas are known for their high concentrations of marine life, which attract many predators. Researchers wanted to know whether these predators were having an impact on the pod behavior.

The study found that while dolphins tended to stay in large groups when they were around predators, porpoises were more likely to split up into smaller groups. This suggests that porpoises may be more wary of predators than dolphins are.

"This study provides insights into why porpoises segregate from dolphins in nature," said study author Danuta Wisniewska in a statement. "It appears that porpoises are more sensitive to potential predation threats and take measures to reduce their risk by splitting up into smaller groups."

The findings could help scientists better understand how porpoise behavior affects their overall populations. For example, if predation is causing porpoises to split up into smaller groups, it could impact their ability to breed and reproduce.