Research gives insight into area’s harbor porpoises

A long-term study by Pacific Mammal Research in Anacortes is shedding light on harbor porpoise behavior and habitat use in the Salish Sea.

According to a news release, researchers have used photo identification over the past 11 years to determine harbor porpoises have been frequenting area waters for more than a decade.

The information shows that there is a resident population of harbor porpoises in Burrows Pass — the water between the Skyline area of Anacortes and Burrows Island.

This study published in Oceans in February details how researchers from the Pacific Mammal Research Group tracked individual harbor porpoises in Burrows Pass between 2014 and 2024.

The tracking relied on photographing unique markings on the animals, which allowed scientists to determine these animals are retu