Taxonomy
Balaenoptera physalus | Fin Whale
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING |
| Range | Favourable |
| Population | Favourable |
| Habitat | Favourable |
| Future Prospects | Favourable |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Favourable |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | N / A |
IUCN Conservation Status |
| Ireland | Not Evaluated* |
| Europe (1) | Near Threatened |
| Global (2) | Endangered [ A1d] |
* There is currently no Irish Red List for Marine Mammals.
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) Annex IV
- Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix II
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention) Appendix I & II
- Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I
- International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling 1946 (as amended)
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004
- Wildlife Act (1976)
- Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
- Whale Fisheries Act 1937
Native status
The Fin Whale is recorded in Irish waters for most of the year, but records are highest through Summer and Autumn, with recordings very much reduced for Spring and Winter.Source: Wall D.et al 2013.
The 2013 IUCN Global Red List for this species lists Ireland as one of the countries where it is native., however it probably better described
as a migrant in an Irish context.
Source: Reilly, S.B. et al 2013; de Klem, 1994
Species Biology
Identification
- Maximum body length: Adult male 22m (72ft), adult female 24m (80ft)
- Record length: 27m (88.5ft)
- Average body length: Adult male 19m (62ft), adult female 20.5m (67ft)
- Blow: Tall, robust 6m (20ft) column, visible at great distances on windless days
- Head shape: V-shaped, top is flat, single prominent median / rostral ridge
- Beak: Narrow pointed snout, without a downturn at tip (unlike Sei Whale)
- Dorsal fin: Not diagnostic, as highly variable. Small (60cm), falcate, backwards sloping, angled <40deg, located two-thirds along back and appears shortly after blow.
- Colouration: Dark grey to brownish black on back and sides
- Markings: Right lower lip including mouth cavity are whitish, but lips and baleen on left side are all dark. This asymmetrical head pigmentation is unique and therefore diagnostic. Right anterior 20-30% baleen plates are yellowish/white. Two chevrons originate behind blowhole and run aft forming broad "V" along back. Broad pale wash sweeps up from corner of jaw to behind blowhole.
The Fin Whale is the 2nd largest living animal on earth, second only to the Blue Whale and dwarfing the most abundant baleen whale in Irish waters, the Minke Whale, whose length rarely exceeds 30ft.
Even from great distances, in calm conditions their robust blow, reaching heights of >20ft. / 6mt., is clearly visible.
In stark contrast to the often solitary Minke Whale, Fin Whales are generally seen in small groups of 3- 5.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Habitat
The Fin Whale is found in deeper waters, over continental slope and beyond, than the much smaller Minke Whale, although the Fin Whale has also been recorded in shallower waters. Generally a species of temperate to sub-arctic waters in both north and south hemispheres.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.
Habitat;
- Open marine water (MW1)
Sources: Harris S.,Yalden D.W., 2008; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.
Reproduction
- Max life expectancy: c. 90 years,
- Female sexual maturity: 6-10 years at 18-19m (60-62ft)
- Male sexual maturity: 6-10 years at length 17-18m (58-60ft)
- Gestation period: 12 months
- Calving: Between December and April.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE | RANKING |
| Seismic exploration, explosions | H06.05 | Medium |
| Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources* | F02 | Medium |
| Death or injury by collision | G05.11 | Low |
| Noise nuisance, noise pollution | H06.01 | Low |
| Changes in abiotic conditions | M01 | Low |
| Threats and pressures from outside the EU territory | XE | Low |
*This would include the threat to this species of a reduction in prey availability as well as the threat of becoming by-catch / accidental catch and also entanglement in fishing gear.
These threats accord well with threats outlined in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment for the species which did not identify any other threats that may be relevant in Irish waters.
Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007.
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Conservation Measures in place or in the process of being implemented during the period were listed for this species.
Source: NPWS 2013.
Apart from an acknowledgement of the existence of legislative protection, there are no suggested Conservation Actions in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment or the 2008 Global IUCN Red List assessment for this species.
Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007.In a 2009 Cetacean Action Plan a total of 41 Actions were identified as part of the plan. The plan and the 2013 review of the plan are available from the NPWS website.
Source: DEHLG 2009.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Worldwide and in north and south hemispheres, primarily in temperate and polar seas. There is some seasonal migration away from polar seas in Winter.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.
Accuracy of world distribution shown in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) map below will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held but not shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.
Irish distribution
The fin whale is the most commonly observed large baleen whale in our waters. Although preferring deeper waters along the continental shelf edge, they can move to within viewing range of our headlands when inshore feeding opportunities occur. Fin whales can occur anywhere along the 200 mile stretch of Celtic Sea coastline extending from West Kerry to Co. Wexford. They are frequently observed in offshore waters along the western seaboard and are likely to be the most abundant large whale species in Irish offshore waters. A team of scientists at Cornell University using American military tracking devices has suggested 300-500 fin whales pass through offshore Irish waters each year.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to
improve our knowledge on the distribution of the Fin Whale in
Ireland. Should you observe this species, please submit
sightings to add to the database. Detailed observations will assist us
gaining a better insight into where the species
is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect
regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at:
http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php
All
records submitted online can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked
and validated these will be added to the database and made available for
conservation and research.
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie
References
Publications
DEHLG 2009 Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters.
de Klem, Cyrille, 1994. ‘The Problem of Migratory Species in International Law’, in Helge Ole Bergesen and Georg Parmann (eds.), Green Globe Yearbook ofInternational Co-operation on Environment and Development 1994(Oxford: Oxford University Press), 67–77.
Fossitt, J.A. (2001) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council
Harris S., Yalden D.W. (2008). Mammals of the British Isles :Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society.
Species account by IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group; regional assessment by European Mammal Assessment team 2007. Balaenoptera physalus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 15 October 2014.
NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.
NPWS (2013a) Delivery Schedule for Actions listed in the Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters – June 2013
Reilly, S.B., Bannister, J.L., Best, P.B., Brown, M., Brownell Jr., R.L., Butterworth, D.S., Clapham, P.J., Cooke, J., Donovan, G.P., Urbán, J. & Zerbini, A.N. 2013. Balaenoptera physalus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 15 October 2014.
Wall, D., Murray, C., O’Brien, J., Kavanagh, L., Wilson, C., Ryan, C., Glanville, B., Williams, D., Enlander, I., O’Connor, I., McGrath, D., Whooley, P. & Berrow, S. (2013). Atlas of the Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in Irish Offshore Waters: 2005 – 2011. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, Co. Clare.Relevant links
Additional comments
Commercial exploitation of the north Atlantic Fin Whale population from the late 19th to late 20th century resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of individuals, potentially in excess of 100,000.
Source: European Mammal Assessment Team 2007.