UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy.

UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy aims to ensure effective management to achieve and/or maintain favourable conservation status for eight of the most commonly found dolphin and porpoise species in UK waters. In addition, the minke whale was included as the ninth species in the strategy. These species have been selected because they occur predictably in UK waters and have similar characteristics and conservation needs. The collective name for all species of dolphins, porpoises and whales is cetaceans. The strategy covers all UK waters, from the coast out to the extent of UK continental shelf (see Figure 1) and encompasses existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The strategy has the following objectives: identify vulnerabilities and the relevant pressures on the populations of the nine species of dolphins, porpoises and minke whales in UK waters; identify current management measures and obligations and opportunities for improvement; prioritise the management of key pressures that pose the greatest risk to achieving and/or maintaining favourable conservation status; initiate new actions, where necessary, to maintain or improve conservation status; improve understanding of population status and trends; raise public awareness and understanding of dolphin, porpoise and minke whale populations in UK waters; bring together organisations to implement the actions. The strategy seeks a joined-up approach to management, with both site and wider measures working together to conserve dolphin, porpoise and minke whale populations. It proposes a series of high-level actions to deliver these outcomes.