Number of stranded porpoises doubled
In 2005, 81 porpoises stranded on the Belgian coast. This is more than any other year, and this is the double of the 41 stranded animals in 2004. The main cause is obvious: more porpoises are living in Belgian waters, like in the first half of the 20th century, when porpoises were common all over the North Sea.
The recent and spectacular increase in the number of animals in the southern part of the North sea is possibly due to changes in the food web of the North sea, because of the changes in the climate.
To counter the problem of bycatch of porpoises, the European Commission decided on several rules in 2004. Scientists and nature conservators work together with fishermen to find solutions.
Besides the 81 dead porpoises, 4 porpoises stranded alive. Two of them were send back to sea, the other two died during revalidation. Find more about strandings of sea birds and marine mammals on the Belgian coast on the website of our North Sea departement (website will be opened in a new window).
The stranded animals died of a natural cause, or died through fishing nets. Because of the high numbers of porpoises in Belgian waters, there are more accidental catches of porpoises by fisherman. There is more bycatch of porpoises in bottom set gill nets, a type of fisheries that is relatively safe for the environment: there is no bycatch of unwanted species or small fish, there is little disturbance of the bottom and not much fuel is needed.
