Summarized Results of Two Necropsy Sessions of Harbor Porpoise Phocoena phocoena Incidentally Taken During Commercial Fishing Operations in the Gulf of Maine

Twenty-five harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena were necropsied during two sessions at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts in two sessions held in 1992 and 1993, The first session was March 10-13, 1992 and the second January 12-15, 1993. Several scientists representing a broad spectrum of research interests, both national and international, took part in these sessions. In addition to samples collected by researchers attending these sessions, many samples were taken to support ongoing research projects. The subject animals were all incidentally caught during sink gillnet fishing operations in the Gulf of Maine (NEFSC 1992). Most of the animals were taken between October and April of both years. The animals were of excellent specimen quality, thus maximizing sample collection. The goal of the necropsy sessions was to collect biological samples sufficient to support present and future research pursuing a better understanding of the biological parameters of the species. A summary of the biological samples collected, and the research they will support, are reported herein.