I took part in a joint Project Rugvin/WWF survey of the Oosterschelde survey to count the number of (resident?) harbour porpoises. In total we counted between 30-40 porpoises. This is the first time ever that a population count has been made of harbour porpoises in this area.

The Oosterschelde (Eastern Scheldt) is an estuary in Zeeland, the Netherlands. Since May 8, 2002, the entire Oosterschelde was designated a national park. After the North Sea flood of 1953, it was decided to close off the Oosterschelde by means of a dam and barrier. The Oosterscheldekering (Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier) is designed to protect a large part of the Netherlands from flooding. A four kilometre long section has huge sluice-gate-type doors that are normally open, but can be closed under adverse weather conditions.

Part of future research will be to determine if Harbour Porpoises pass the Storm Surge Barrier and if the population changes over time.