Experts in plea over River Ouse porpoise sightings (From York Press)

Environment Agency in plea over River Ouse porpoise sightings

9:39am Friday 10th July 2009 in News

Anglers, boaters and walkers are being urged to keep their eyes peeled for porpoises in the coming months on the River Ouse and the Humber.

According to official statistics, no porpoises have been recorded in the tidal stretches of the rivers Ouse and Aire since the early 20th century, although there are many historical records.

However, river workers regularly see the animals, which have been spotted as far inland as Cawood, 12km downstream of York.

Conservationists suspect that because such sightings are relatively common those spotting the porpoises do not think to report them.

The harbour porpoise is notoriously hard to study and there are serious gaps in experts’ knowledge.

The Environment Agency’s Martin Fuller said: “What we’d like people to do is let us know exactly when and where they sighted porpoises, and how many.

“They need to be sure they haven’t spotted seals, another animal we often get quite a long way up our rivers, which shows just how clean the river water is these days. Photographs are also welcome.”