The Iberian harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena meridionalis) population faces unique challenges, characterized by low population size and limited genetic diversity, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts. However, a dearth of ecological information on this population hampers targeted conservation measures. This study addresses this knowledge gap by assessing the environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing the habitat use of Iberian harbour porpoises. Utilizing data collected from 195 daily boat surveys spanning 8 years along the north-western coast of Spain, we observed 287 harbour porpoise groups comprising 1383 individuals. Our analysis revealed a wide distribution of harbour porpoises along the continental shelf of the north-western Iberian Peninsula. Notably, this species exhibited a preference for areas characterized by high productivity, influenced by seasonal coastal upwelling phenomena and tidal flow. Our results emphasize the positive correlation between the presence of fishing boats and porpoise habitat use, highlighting the risks associated with bycatch in gear such as bottom-set gillnets and trammel nets, and the need for comprehensive mitigation measures. Additionally, our findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive conservation strategies to address risks associated with marine traffic and habitat alteration due to the expanding development of offshore wind farms in the region. This research also establishes a baseline for future environmental monitoring programs, contributing to the long-term conservation and management of the Iberian harbour porpoise population.

伊比利亚港湾鼠海豚 ( Phocoena phocoena meridionalis ) 种群面临着独特的挑战，其特点是种群规模小和遗传多样性有限，凸显了保护工作的紧迫性。然而，缺乏有关该种群的生态信息阻碍了有针对性的保护措施。本研究通过评估影响伊比利亚港鼠海豚栖息地利用的环境和人为因素来解决这一知识差距。利用 8 年间沿西班牙西北海岸进行的 195 次每日船只调查收集的数据，我们观察到了 287 个港湾鼠海豚群，共 1383 只个体。我们的分析显示，港湾鼠海豚在伊比利亚半岛西北部的大陆架上广泛分布。值得注意的是，该物种表现出对高生产力地区的偏好，受季节性沿海上升流现象和潮汐流的影响。我们的结果强调了渔船的存在与江豚栖息地利用之间的正相关性，强调了与底部刺网和网状网等渔具兼捕相关的风险，以及采取全面缓解措施的必要性。此外，我们的研究结果强调了采取全面保护策略的必要性，以解决由于该地区海上风电场不断扩大开发而导致的海洋交通和栖息地改变带来的风险。这项研究还为未来的环境监测计划建立了基线，有助于伊比利亚港口鼠海豚种群的长期保护和管理。