Apart from common and grey seals also harbour porpoises and dolphins can be encountered in Dutch coastal and offshore waters. International directives and conventions protect all these species and their ecological habitats. Unfortunately the quality of cetaceans natural habitats is severely influenced by man. Within the next years it is to be expected that Special Protected Areas for eg. Harbour porpoises are allocated.

The staff of Bureau Waardenburg has built up a sound knowledge of the ecology, distribution and population development of marine mammals. Our researchers are involved in Environmental Impact Assessment studies related with large infrastructural projects like an airport at an artificial island in the North Sea and offshore windfarms. Within this framework of EIA’s we are experienced in working from survey ships as well as coastal sites.