Geographic distribution

The fin whales live in every ocean, from the tropics to the polar regions, but is rarely seen inshore. They migrate to polar waters in summer for feeding and return to warmer seas in winter for breeding.

Characteristics

This whale is second in size to only the blue whale. The dorsal fin, which often slopes backwards, is set about two-thirds back along the body. It is not as erect as in the sei whale. The flukes are broad and triangular, and the head is pointed. Its colour is dark-grey to brown-black, with white undersides and between 55-100 throat grooves. There are 520-950 baleen plates per animal, the largest of which is 90cm in length. The Fin whale is between 19-22.3m long, females are generally larger. It weighs between 45-75 tonnes.
They live approximately 60 years.

Behaviour

Fin whales are usually found either in pairs (as in mother and calf) or in groups of 6-10 animals. Although individuals are also common, congregations of approximately 100 can be found on the feeding grounds. The fin whales dives to a maximum of about 300 m. The fin whale specialises in tiny plankton, different species of which are preferred in different geographical locations. Some fish, such as herring and capelin, as well as squid, are also eaten.

Influence of man

When the stocks of blue whales became severely reduced from commercial whaling, attention turned to the other whales, in particular the Fin whales. Despite becoming a protected species in the 1976, the damage had already been done.
The estimated current population worldwide is between 50-100,000 animals.
It is doubtful that this species will return to original population levels.