Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-author and myself, I am delighted to bring to your attention the publication of our last research published by the scientific journal Marine Biology. This article on the species' habitat use addresses the status of the harbour porpoise population in the Iberian Peninsula, highlighting its vulnerability to fishing and the development of offshore wind farms. Abstract The Iberian harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena meridionalis) population faces unique challenges, characterized by low population size and limited genetic diversity, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts. However, a dearth of ecological information on this population hampers targeted conservation measures. This study addresses this knowledge gap by assessing the environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing the habitat use of Iberian harbour porpoises. Utilizing data collected from 195 daily boat surveys spanning 8 years along the north-western coast of Spain, we observed 287 harbour porpoise groups comprising 1383 individuals. Our analysis revealed a wide distribution of harbour porpoises along the continental shelf of the north-western Iberian Peninsula. Notably, this species exhibited a preference for areas characterized by high productivity, influenced by seasonal coastal upwelling phenomena and tidal flow. Our results emphasize the positive correlation between the presence of fishing boats and porpoise habitat use, highlighting the risks associated with bycatch in gear such as bottom-set gillnets and trammel nets, and the need for comprehensive mitigation measures. Additionally, our findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive conservation strategies to address risks associated with marine traffic and habitat alteration due to the expanding development of offshore wind farms in the region. This research also establishes a baseline for future environmental monitoring programs, contributing to the long-term conservation and management of the Iberian harbour porpoise population. The article can be found in the following link: < https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-024-04438-x > Please feel free to contact me for further questions or to request a pdf copy at: bruno@thebdri.com Best regards, Bruno Diaz Lopez Ph.DChief biologist and Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI - www.thebdri.com Avenida Beiramar 192, O Grove 36980, Pontevedra, Spain Tel. 0034 684248552 he/him/his https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0388-3289 Follow BDRI on Facebook , Instagram or mention us on Twitter. This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private informations. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). Thank you for your cooperation. | | Virus-free.www.avast.com |