Organohalogenated contaminants in harbour porpoises

Determination of organohalogenated contaminants in liver of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded on the Belgian North sea coast

Context of the study

The harbour porpoise is a vulnerable species in European waters. During the past decades the number of observations of this cetacean have decreased in the Baltic Sea. Although observations along the coast of the Netherlands have increased since 1990, this trend is more likely to reflect a shift in distribution of harbour porpoises, than an actual increase of the population. ^[1] One of the main threats to the harbour porpoise is accidental capture by fishing gear. High levels of contaminants, declining fish stocks and other anthropogenic stress factors (wind mills, sonar, shipping,... ^[2]) are also considered possible threats.

Content of the study

The study evaluates the occurrence and trends of important organic contaminants in the harbour porpoise: one of the top predators in of the North sea ecosystem.

Top predator