UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy: consultation

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.