The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy and Wales Environment Link harbour porpoise species champion – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has continued her work in urging the Welsh Government to review what additional data collection is required to evaluate the impact of our society on the species.
In a Written Question, Janet asked:
Further to the closure of the public consultation, will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government’s involvement in the UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy with direct regards to the identification of environmental pressures on harbour porpoise populations in Wales?
The question comes amid increasing concern about the need to balance the growing development of our seas as an arena for energy generation and tourism recreation, with marine habitat restoration and carbon sequestration.
Commenting on her intervention, Janet said:
“We know that the development of our seas is having an knock on impact on the wildlife that call our shores home. Harbour porpoises, for example, are not only under threat from sea pollution, but have also suffered as a result of boat collisions, man-made noise, and accidental capture in fishing nets.
“Whilst I recognise that the post-mortems that are being carried out by the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme will provide the Welsh Government with some data, the present mapping work being undertaken is an ideal opportunity to review the impact of human activities on the habitat and well-being of the harbour porpoise.
“As a proponent of the urgent need for a marine development plan, I am clear that effective marine planning will ensure that the natural environment and food sources that harbour porpoises rely on for survival are protected and allowed to thrive. With the Senedd declaring a nature emergency, such implementation would be evidence that policy is lined up with ambition.”
The harbour porpoise can be spotted close to shore in shallow water. They are warm-blooded mammals, and their small size means they must feed often to maintain their body temperature in cold British seas. According to the Wildlife Trusts, they feed on fish, including herring and whiting.
Last year, Janet signed the MCS UK pledge to protect Welsh seas. As the Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Janet has been calling on the Welsh Government to prioritise well managed seas as a means of boosting the ‘blue economy’, petitioning for the introduction of a Marine Development Plan.
ENDS
Photo courtesy of Wildlife Trusts Wales, credit: Niki Clear.
