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Species Directory

Dall’s Porpoise

Overview Conservation & Management Science Resources

Dall’s Porpoise

Phocoenoides dalli

Dall's porpoise illustration.

Protected Status

CITES Appendix II
Throughout Its Range
MMPA Protected
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Weight
Up to 440 pounds
Lifespan
15 to 20 years
Length
7 to 8 feet
Threats
Entanglement in fishing gear, Hunting, Habitat alteration, Contaminants, Ocean noise
Region
Alaska, West Coast
See Regulatory Actions
Dall's porpoise

About The Species

Dall's porpoises are common in the North Pacific Ocean and can be found off the U.S. West Coast from California to the Bering Sea in Alaska. These porpoises are considered the fastest swimmers among small cetaceans, reaching speeds of 34 miles per hour over short distances. They are named for W.H. Dall, an American naturalist who collected the first specimen of this species.

A special characteristic of Dall’s porpoises is their distinctive color pattern: a black body with a conspicuous white lateral patch on the left, right, and underside. They are often mistaken for baby killer whales, but unlike killer whales, their dorsal fins are triangle-shaped and they do not have eye patches or saddle patches.

Dall’s porpoises, like all marine mammals, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Status

For management purposes, Dall's porpoises inhabiting U.S. waters have been divided into the Alaska stock and the California/Oregon/Washington stock. There are insufficient data available on current population trends for both stocks, but Dall's porpoises are considered reasonably abundant.

Review the most recent stock assessment reports with population estimates

In the western North Pacific Ocean, there are an estimated 104,000 Dall’s porpoises off of Japan, 554,000 in the Okhotsk Sea, 100,000 in the U.S. West Coast stock, and 83,000 in Alaska.

Two distinct subspecies are currently recognized within the species based on distinguishable color patterns: P. d. truei and P. d. dalli. The truei-type is abundant only in waters around the Kuril Islands and off the Pacific coast of northern Japan, while the dalli-type ranges across the northern North Pacific—from northern Japan to the Bering Sea and into California. Other variable and hybrid types (with harbor porpoises) are also relatively common.

Protected Status

CITES Appendix II

  • Throughout Its Range

MMPA Protected

  • Throughout Its Range

Appearance

Dall's porpoises have a relatively small, triangular head with little or no beak and a thick, robust body. Their flippers are small, round, and located near the front of the body. The triangular dorsal fin is positioned in the middle of the back, and often angles forward. The tail stock and keel (where the caudal fin attaches to the body) are exaggerated and create a pronounced hump, which is large compared to other marine mammals. Adult males have a thicker tail stock and forward-projecting dorsal fin.

Their coloration is very dark gray or black with contrasting white markings on the dorsal fin and tail that distinguish Dall’s porpoises from other cetaceans. All-black (melanistic) and all-white (albino) forms also exist but are considered rare. Markings and colorations vary by geographic location and life stage, with adults having more distinct colorations. Adults also have a chunkier and more robust body than juveniles.

Behavior and Diet

Dall’s porpoises can dive up to 1,640 feet to feed on small schooling fish (e.g., anchovies, herring, and hake), mid- and deep-water fish (e.g., myctophids and smelts), cephalopods (e.g., squid and octopus), and occasionally crustaceans (e.g., crabs and shrimp). Feeding usually occurs at night when their prey migrates up toward the surface. They have 38 to 56 very small, spade-shaped teeth (about the size of a piece of grain or rice) on each jaw that are useful for grasping.

Dall’s porpoises are usually found in groups averaging between two and 12 individuals, but they have been occasionally seen in larger, loosely associated groups in the hundreds or even thousands of animals. They are known to associate with Pacific white-sided dolphins and short-finned pilot whales but have also been seen swimming alongside large whales. As rapid, social swimmers, Dall’s porpoises are also attracted to fast moving vessels and commonly bowride beside ships. They briskly surface while swimming, creating a "rooster tail" of water spray that is a unique characteristic of the species.

Dall's porpoises emit low-frequency clicks that are presumably used for echolocation.  

Where They Live

Dall’s porpoises prefer temperate to boreal (northern, cold) waters that are more than 600 feet deep and with temperatures between 36°F and 63°F. They can be found in offshore, inshore, and nearshore oceanic waters, between 30° north and 62° north. Dall's porpoises occur throughout the coastal and pelagic waters of the North Pacific Ocean. This species is commonly found in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Okhotsk Sea, and Sea of Japan. In the eastern North Pacific, they can be found from around the U.S./Mexico border (Baja California, 32° north) to the Bering Sea, in the central North Pacific (above 41° north), and in the western North Pacific from central Japan (35° north) to the Okhotsk Sea. In the Bering Sea, Dall’s porpoises occur in higher abundance near the shelf break. They are commonly seen in inshore waters of Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. Migration patterns (inshore/offshore and north/south) are based on morphology/type, geography, and seasonality.

Dall's porpoise range map

World map providing approximate representation of the dall porpoise's range.

Lifespan & Reproduction

Dall's porpoises become sexually mature at 3.5 to 8 years of age and give birth to a single calf after 10 to 12 months, usually between June and September. The calves are generally 3.3 feet long and are nursed by their mother for less than 1 year. These cetaceans can live up to 22 years, but their lifespan is generally 15 to 20 years.

Hybrids between Dall's porpoises and harbor porpoises are also fairly common in the northeast Pacific but can also occur elsewhere.

Threats

Entanglement in Fishing Gear

One of the main threats to Dall’s porpoises is becoming entangled or captured in commercial fishing gear such as drift nets, gillnets, and trawls. This occurs in fisheries targeting groundfish, salmon, and squid in Canadian, Russian, Japanese, Alaskan, and other U.S. waters. Once entangled, porpoises can become anchored or may swim off with the gear attached for long distances, ultimately resulting in fatigue, compromised feeding ability, or severe injury, which may lead to reduced reproductive success and death.

Hunting

Japanese fisherman hunt Dall’s porpoises in the western North Pacific as a source of meat for human consumption. About 18,000 Dall’s porpoises are taken annually.

Contaminants

Contaminants enter ocean waters and sediments from many sources—such as wastewater treatment plants, sewer outfalls, and pesticide application—and move through the food chain. Pollutants and various contaminants in the marine environment have been found in the blubber of Dall's porpoises. These pollutants can harm their immune and reproductive systems.

Modern pollution controls have reduced but not eliminated many chemical contaminants, which continue to threaten Dall's porpoises. Additionally, some of these contaminants persist in the marine environment for decades and continue to threaten marine life.

Ocean Noise

Underwater noise pollution interrupts the normal behavior of Dall’s porpoises and interferes with their communication.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Cetacea
Family Phocoenidae
Genus Phocoenoides
Species dalli

What We Do

Conservation & Management

NOAA Fisheries is committed to protecting Dall’s porpoises. Targeted management actions taken to protect these animals include:

  • Addressing ocean noise.

  • Overseeing marine mammal health and stranding response.

  • Educating the public about Dall’s porpoises and the threats they face.

  • Monitoring population abundance and distribution.

Learn more about our conservation efforts

Science

Our research projects have discovered new aspects of Dall’s porpoise biology, behavior, and ecology and help us better understand the challenges that all Dall’s porpoises face. This research is especially important in maintaining stable populations. Our work includes:

  • Stock assessments.

  • Aerial surveys.

  • Measuring the response of animals to sound using digital acoustic recording tags.

  • Satellite tagging and tracking.

Learn more about our research

How You Can Help

Marine Life In Distress

Report Marine Life in Distress

Report a sick, injured, entangled, stranded, or dead animal to make sure professional responders and scientists know about it and can take appropriate action. Numerous organizations around the country are trained and ready to respond.

Learn who you should contact when you encounter a stranded or injured marine animal

Keep your distance

Keep Your Distance

Be responsible when viewing marine life in the wild.

Observe all dolphins and porpoises from a safe distance of at least 50 yards and limit your time spent observing to 30 minutes or less.

Learn more about our marine life viewing guidelines >

Report a Violation

Report a Violation

Call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964 to report a federal marine resource violation. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days week for anyone in the United States.

You may also contact your closest NOAA Office of Law Enforcement field office during regular business hours.


Featured News

A Dall's Porpoise swims in Prince William Sound.
Feature Story

Dall’s Porpoise Expands Territory in a Changing Prince William Sound

Alaska
View More News

Related Species

Harbor porpoise illustration.

Harbor Porpoise

Vaquita illustration

Vaquita

Management Overview

Like all marine mammals, the harbor porpoise is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. NOAA Fisheries is working to conserve this species in many ways, with the goal that its population will remain stable.

750x500-dalls-porpose-2.png

Dall's porpoise in Alaska. Photo: NOAA Fisheries/Kate Stafford.


Conservation Efforts

Addressing Ocean Noise

Sound pollution threatens Dall’s porpoise populations by interrupting their normal behavior and driving them away from areas important to their survival. Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to intense underwater sound in some settings may cause some porpoises to strand and ultimately die.

NOAA Fisheries is investigating all aspects of acoustic communication and hearing in marine animals. In 2016, we issued technical guidance for assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal hearing.

Learn more about ocean noise

Overseeing Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response

We work with volunteer networks in all coastal states to respond to marine mammal strandings. When stranded animals are found alive, NOAA Fisheries and its partners assess the animal’s health and try to return it to the water. When stranded animals are found dead—as is usually the case—our scientists work to understand and investigate the cause of death. Although the cause often remains unknown, scientists can sometimes identify strandings due to disease, harmful algal blooms, vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglements, pollution exposure, and underwater noise. Some strandings can serve as indicators of ocean health, giving insight into larger environmental issues that may also have implications for human health and welfare

Learn more about the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program

Educating the Public

NOAA Fisheries aims to increase public awareness and support for Dall’s porpoise conservation through education, outreach, and public participation. We regularly share information with the public about the status of Dall’s porpoises, as well as our research and efforts to maintain their populations.


Regulatory History

This species is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents Incidental Take

Incidental Take Authorization: Erickson Residence Marine Access Project, Auke Bay, Alaska

NOAA Fisheries has issued an IHA to Jim Erickson for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Erickson Residence Marine Access Project in Juneau, Alaska.    Project Location
  • Notice of FInal IHA
  • Notice of Proposed IHA
Notice
,
Alaska
Effective
09/25/2019

Incidental Take Authorization: Renewal of Washington Department of Transportation Dolphin Relocation at Bremerton Ferry Terminal

NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) Renewal to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to the dolphin (a man-made structure that protects other
  • Notice of Final Renewal IHA
  • Notice of Proposed Renewal IHA
  • Notice of Original IHA
Notice
,
West Coast
Effective
08/08/2019

Incidental Take Authorization: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Marine Geophysical Survey in the Northeast Pacific Ocean

NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (L-DEO) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment, marine mammals during seismic activities associated with a marine
  • Notice of Final IHA
  • Notice of Proposed IHA
Notice
Published
06/10/2019

Incidental Take Authorization: Washington State Department of Transportation Seattle Multimodal Construction Project, Seattle, Washington (2019)

NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to the Seattle Multimodal Project at Colman Dock
  • Notice of Final IHA
  • Notice of Proposed IHA
Notice
,
West Coast
Effective
08/01/2019
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More Information

  • Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal
  • Marine Life Viewing Guidelines
  • Permits and Authorizations
  • Marine Mammal Protection
  • International Marine Mammal Conservation

Science

NOAA Fisheries conducts various research activities on the biology, behavior, and ecology of the Dall’s porpoise. The results of this research are used to inform management decisions for this species.

Stock Assessments

Determining the number of Dall’s porpoises in each population—and whether a stock is increasing or decreasing over time—helps resource managers assess the success of enacted conservation measures. Our scientists collect information and present these data in annual stock assessment reports. 

Alaska Fisheries Science Center Dall's Porpoise Research

Find out more about what our scientists are learning about Dall's porpoises in Alaska

750x500-dalls-porpose-1.png

Dall's porpoise in Alaska. Photo: NOAA Fisheries/Marilyn Dahlheim.

 

More Information

  • Population Assessments
  • Climate
  • Scientific Research Permitting

Documents

Document

Copper River Delta Carcass Surveys: Annual Reports

Biologists conducted survey flights of the shifting sand shoals of the Copper River Delta to search…

Alaska
More Documents

Research

Generic Page

Dall's Porpoise Research in Alaska

Scientists at NOAA Fisheries’ Auke Bay Laboratories have mapped Dall’s porpoise distributions in Prince William Sound for the first time in nearly three decades. The research was part of Gulf Watch Alaska, a program that monitors the

Alaska
More Research

Outreach & Education

Educational Materials

Acoustic Studies Sound Board of Marine Mammals in Alaska

This resource features passive acoustic sound clips of many amazing marine mammals that can be…

Alaska
More Outreach and Education Materials
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