It looks like a dolphin but without the pointy nose. The porpoise is recognized by its triangle shaped dorsal fin, grey colour and tumbling motion through the water. Porpoises have a hard time surviving in the Baltic Sea due to toxins in the water, overfertilization and overfishing. If we are able to save it, you might have a chance to see the beautiful but shy whale tumbling around in the Baltic Sea.
One of the smallest toothed whales
The porpoise is a toothed whale living in the seas surrounding Sweden. It is one of the smallest toothed whales and can grow up to around 1,5 meters and a weight of about 50 kg. The porpoise is shy and usually lives alone or in smaller groups, its habitat is on the west and east coasts of Sweden. You can also find other species within the porpoise family living in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean.
There are around 500 porpoise left in the Baltic Sea and the population is critically endangered.
Porpoises need constant food supply
A porpoise eats smaller fat fish such as herring, small cod and sprat and have to eat 5-10% of its own body weight every day. This is not always possible as the Baltic Sea struggles with both overfertilization and overfishing.
Overfertilization creates a surplus of nitrogen and phosphorus which changes the balance of the ecosystem. Overfishing affects all fish in the Baltic Sea, and since porpoises are at the top of the food chain they are extra sensitive to this.
Another big threat is ghost fishing which means porpoises get trapped in drifting fishing nets and drown.
Porpoise facts
- Protected since 1973
- A full-grown porpoise can be around 1,5-1,9 meters long and weigh about 50-70 kg
- Gives birth to about 3 or 4 calves during their lifetime
- Eats about 5-10% of their own body weight every day
- Lives about 12 years
This is what you can do for the Baltic Sea
We can all help and create a change by taking responsibility of what we let end up in the sea. In your everyday life you can sort and recycle daily waste, leave chemicals and paint residues to a recycling station, choose fish that is not endangered, return old prescription drugs, and use phosphate free laundry detergent. There are about 90 million people living around the Baltic Sea, and this needs to be done by everyone of us.
Strommas cooperation with WWF
Stromma is working together with WWF to save the Baltic Sea and the species living there. We want to create a ecosystem in balance, in and around the Baltic Sea.
Our goal is to be a leading force when it comes to sustainability in our industry. We want to be a part of the work we have in front of us.
We have goals to reduce our environmental impact and follow general guidelines and targets for diminishing CO2 emissions, sulfur, nitrogen, waste, recycling and use of non-toxic boat bottom paint.
Read more about the Baltic Sea Project and our cooperation with WWF >>
We also encourage you to donate directly to wwf.se (in Swedish)