Postmortaal onderzoek van bruinvissen (Phocoena phocoena) uit Nederlandse wateren, 2024. Biologische gegevens, gezondheidsstatus en doodsoorzaken.: WOT-technical report 280.

Abstract

This annual report presents the results of post-mortem examinations of stranded harbour porpoises in 2024. One of the main objectives of the research is to quantify human-induced causes of death. In 2024, 65 dead harbour porpoises were examined: 36 males and 29 females, of which 26 were adults, 26 juveniles and 13 neonates. An additional three male foetuses were found, examined and sampled. The majority of the examined harbour porpoises died from infectious diseases (n=24, 36.9%). Bycatch was the most likely cause of death of 10 porpoises (15.4%). Seven porpoises died as a result of acute blunt-force trauma of unknown origin (10.8%). Three porpoises died as a result of grey seal attacks (4.6%). Eight neonates died from complications during birth (12.3%). One porpoise died from starvation/emaciation (1.5%). Six porpoises fell into the category other (9.2%), and the cause of death of a further six individuals remained unclear (9.2%).