Harbour porpoise

The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is the only native species of cetacean in the North and Baltic Seas. Belonging to the toothed whale family, it reaches a length of around 1.5 metres. These shy, dolphin-like marine mammals feed on fish and squid. However, noise, bycatch in fishing nets and environmental toxins pose a serious threat to the species. In the Baltic Sea, the harbour porpoise is critically endangered.