UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy: consultation

Closed 14 Jun 2021

Opened 22 Mar 2021

Contact

marine_conservation@gov.scot

Feedback updated 4 Dec 2025

We asked

We held a public consultation seeking views on the draft UK Cetacean Conservation Strategy, (formerly the UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy) between 22 March and 14 June 2021. We asked whether there was support for implementation of the Strategy and whether the evidence presented supported the case for the Strategy. Additionally, we asked for comments on the vulnerability assessments and the conclusions reached, and the actions proposed within the Strategy. We also asked for any comments regarding the accessibility of the information in the documents.

You said

In total 35 consultation responses were received, with 16 responses on behalf of organisations and 19 received from individuals. There was 94% support for implementation of the Strategy. Several respondents suggested that additional species should be added to the Strategy. Although many respondents supported the evidence underpinning the Strategy, some noted that evidence in the vulnerability assessments was outdated and lacked key sources of evidence. Several respondents were encouraged by the proposed actions identified within the Strategy, but some stated that while research was important, more emphasis should be focused on management action to deliver solutions. On the final question of accessibility, some respondents felt that the Strategy and associated documents were difficult to navigate.

We did

In response to suggestions for additional species, the Strategy has been amended to included five additional species and one species group. A qualitative summary has been added which updates evidence on the original nine species as well as information on the newly added species and species group. This led to the identification of the six high-level recommendations outlined in the Strategy that cover the main pressures acting on cetaceans in UK waters and where action can be taken. We intend to engage with our stakeholder communities to work through the recommendations and potential areas for action to identify where action can best be taken to deliver on the Strategy’s vision, aims and objectives and who is best placed to deliver the action. Regarding responses on navigation of the Strategy, the document has been shortened to make it more accessible to a wide range of interests, with a more qualitative summary being found within the Technical Report.

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

The Scottish Government, in collaboration with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Welsh Government (WG), Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Northern Ireland (DAERA) and the UK Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, have developed this UK conservation strategy.

The strategy aims to ensure effective management to achieve and/or maintain favourable conservation status for nine of the most commonly found dolphin, porpoise and minke whale species in UK waters.

The strategy seeks a joined-up approach to management, with both site and wider measures working together to conserve dolphin, porpoise and minke whale populations. It proposes a series of high-level actions to deliver these outcomes.

We would welcome your views on the assessments, evidence and actions proposed under this strategy.

Whales, dolphins and porpoise, collectively known as cetaceans, are protected wherever they occur throughout UK waters. The strategy actions will enable us to undertake research to better understand impacts to their conservation status and develop policies to offer additional protection.

Why your views matter

This consultation seeks your view on the assessments, evidence and actions developed and the proposed implementation of the UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy. In particular, comments on:

  1. Implementation of the strategy
  2. Evidence presented to support the assessments
  3. The assessment conclusions
  4. The proposed actions

Read the consultation paper. 

Supporting information

For full details on the strategy aims and objectives, technical assessments and proposed actions, please refer to the related links section on this page.

Interests

  • Marine and Fisheries