Making space for porpoises, dolphins and whales in UK seas Harbour Porpoise Special Areas of Conservation, as part of a coherent network of marine protected areas for cetaceans 2013 Making space for porpoises, dolphins and whales in UK seas Harbour Porpoise Special Areas of Conservation, as part of a coherent network of marine protected areas for cetaceans A WDC Report 2013 Contributing authors Sarah Dolman Josephine Clark Sonja Eisfeld-Pierantonio Mick Green Nicola Hodgins Erich Hoyt Fabian Ritter Dr Mike Tetley External review Alison Champion Sarah Gregerson ISBN: 978-1-901386-35-6 Cover photograph © WDC / Nicola Hodgins Suggested reference Dolman, S.J., Champion, A., Clark, J., Eisfeld-Pierantonio, S., Green, M., Gregerson, S., Hodgins, N., Ritter, F., Tetley, M. and Hoyt, E. 2013. Making space for porpoises, dolphins and whales in UK seas: Harbour Porpoise Special Areas of Conservation as part of a coherent network of marine protected areas for cetaceans. A WDC Report. Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), Brookfield House, 38 St. Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire. Tel. 01249 449500 - Email:
[email protected] - Web: www.whales.org Registered Charity No. 1014705 – Registered Company No. 2737421 WDC is the leading global charity dedicated to the conservation and protection of whales and dolphins. We defend these remarkable creatures against the many threats they face through campaigns, lobbying, advising governments, conservation projects, field research and rescue. Executive summary The purpose of this report is two-fold. Firstly, we provide scientific and legal advice whilst highlighting key evidence to encourage the UK government to designate a network of harbour porpoise Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) as required under the EU Habitats and Species Directive.