Atlantic white-sided dolphin  (Lagenorhynchus acutus)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Threats

Threats to the Atlantic white-sided dolphin include hunting, chemical pollution, environmental change and entanglement in fishing nets, which results in drowning (4).

Conservation

A UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, the Atlantic white-sided dolphin is protected in UK waters by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Orders, 1985; it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure, or harass any cetacean (whale or dolphin) species in UK waters (3). The Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS) has been signed by seven European countries, including the UK. Provision is made under this agreement to set up protected areas, promote research and monitoring, pollution control and increase public awareness (3).

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.
View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.
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