THE CURRENT STATUS OF HARBOR PORPOISES (PHOCOENA-PHOCOENA) IN GERMAN WATERS

The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is the most common cetacean i n German waters. Since 1990 all strandings on German coasts, by-catche s from German fishermen and incidental sightings have been recorded an d examined. In addition, surveys have been conducted in specific areas . In this paper, we present data from these investigations until 1994. The distribution of dead stranded animals along the German North Sea coast: clearly shows a decrease in density from north to south. The an alyses of incidental sightings in the German Eight and Kiel Eight show similar results. Food analyses revealed that animals from the North a nd Baltic Seas differ considerably in their diet. Reproduction is seas onal, with parturition and copulation occurring in late spring and ear ly summer. Most female porpoises become sexually mature at the age of four years and become pregnant each year thereafter. The majority of l esions found at necropsies were caused by parasites, especially in the respiratory tract. In two thirds of the cases we found various degree s of pneumonia, associated with parasites. Our findings gave no indica tion of an epidemic of bacterial or viral infections.