Abstract

This paper presents information on the distribution of harbour porpoise in Norwegian coastal and adjacent waters based on incidental sightings during the period 1964-1968, bycatches in the driftnet salmon fishery in 1988 and two dedicated cetacean sightings surveys in 1988 and 1989. Estimates of pod size and abundance of harbour porpoise in the Norwegian and Barents Sea are given. The information available indicates a divided offshore distribution during summer for harbour porpoises in Norwegian waters, with a southern component in the North Sea area and a northern component from Lofoten and into the Barents Sea. The abundance estimates were about 82,600 porpoises (CV 0.24) for the southern component and about 11,000 porpoises (CV 0.44) for the northern component.