Please note, this National Red List website contains a subset of data whilst we transition to national focal point driven data uploads. We thank you for your patience with this and welcome national contributors to get in touch to update their national dataset. Terms of Use including citation guidance are found here.

The previous dataset is available via: https://archive.nationalredlist.org/. This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.

NRLD - 93663 | Phocoena phocoena

Assessment ID
93663
Taxon name
Phocoena phocoena
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Phocoena phocoena
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Common name(s)
Harbour Porpoise (English), Marsouin commun (Français)
Assessed taxon level
Population
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
phocoenidae
Genus
Phocoena
Species
phocoena
Species authority
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Pacific Ocean population
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
Canada
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
Canada
Country ISO code(s)
CAN
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Special Concern; Préoccupante
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
They appear to be particularly sensitive to human activities, and are prone to becoming entrapped and killed in fishing nets. They are a short lived shy species that are now rarely seen at the highly developed areas of Victoria and Haro Strait. Continued development and use of its prime habitat by humans are some of the main threats. They are displaced by underwater noise, and could be affected by contaminants in their food chain.; Cette espèce semble particulièrement vulnérable aux activités de l'être humain, et a tendance à s'enchevêtrer dans des engins de pêche et à mourir. Il s'agit d'une espèce timide dont la durée de vie est courte, qui est maintenant rarement observée dans les régions grandement aménagées de Victoria et du détroit de Haro. L'aménagement continu et l'utilisation de l'habitat principal de cette espèce par les humains constituent certaines des principales menaces. Les bruits sous-marins font fuir les marsouins, et ces derniers pourraient être touchés par les contaminants présents dans leur chaà®ne alimentaire.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2003
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Environment Canada.
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN
Reference for methods given
COSEWIC- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2003)
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Pacific Ocean
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
No information available
History
Species considered in April 1991 and placed in the Data Deficient category. Re-examined in November 2003 and designated Special Concern.; Espèce étudiée en avril 1991 et classée dans la catégorie ' données insuffisantes '. Réexamen en novembre 2003 et désignée ' préoccupante '.
Publication
COSEWIC. 2003. Canadian Wildlife Species at Risk. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Web site: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/wildlife-plants-species/species-risk.html