Family Phocoenidae (Porpoises)

IDENTIFICATION
The Harbour Porpoise is the smallest cetacean in the eastern North Pacific, able to grow no more than two metres long. It can be identified by its small, triangular dorsal fin, chunky body and rounded head. It also has a tiny indistinct beak. The body of a Harbour Porpoise is dark grey above and white below, with a transitional speckled zone on the sides.

MEALS, MANNERS AND MIGRATION
The Harbour Porpoise is so named because it is often found in the shallow waters of harbours, bays and river mouths. It is often seen in pairs or small groups (five to ten), but may travel in pods of nearly one hundred. Harbour Porpoises are active swimmers, but do not ride the bow waves of ships. They eat a variety of fishes, such as herring, mackerel, pollack, small cod, sole and sardines, as well as squid, octopus and crustaceans. Their seasonal movements appear to be inshore-offshore, rather than north-south, due to food supply.

STATUS
There is currently no COSEWIC status designation for the Pacific Harbour Porpoise due to insufficient evidence. Because its population has declined noticeably in areas near British Columbia and seems less common than it did in the past, this species should be considered for conservation status at least until more information can be gathered.

DISTRIBUTION
Circumpolar across the northern hemisphere. In the North Pacific, the Harbour Porpoise is distributed in the west from Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea, and in the east from California to Alaska. Harbour Porpoises are primarily a coastal species and sometimes travel up rivers. In southern British Columbia and northwestern Washington State, this species is often sighted in Juan de Fuca Strait, Haro Strait and Puget Sound.