This Plan aims to restore and/or maintain North Sea harbour porpoises at a favourable conservation status, whereby population dynamics data suggest that harbour porpoises are maintaining themselves at a level enabling their long-term survival; the range of harbour porpoises is neither reduced, nor is it likely to be reduced in the foreseeable future; habitat of favourable quality is and will be available to maintain harbour porpoises on a long term basis; and the distribution and abundance of harbour porpoises in the North Sea are returned to historic coverage and levels wherever biologically feasible. The text provides that there are some important general considerations that require elucidation which include: dealing with inadequate data, monitoring, life of the conservation plan and its implementation, and executive summary of the actions. The Policy further refers to establishment of bycatch programs, regular evaluation of all fisheries, review of current pingers and development of alternative pingers, finalising a management program, and review of the stock structure of Harbour Porpoises. The text contains 6 Parts and in Part 5 has defined 12 Actions.
2009-09-18