The Fin Whale
The second largest cetacean in the world after the blue whale, the fin whale was first hunted in the late XIX Century and during much of the XX Century. Although it is difficult to determine the extent of the decline due to a lack of population size estimates for the period preceding large-scale whaling, the Atlantic fin whale population was significantly reduced. This migratory population spends the summer in food-rich, northern waters situated between Baffin Bay, Canada, and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Several different summer groups are distributed in the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence, in the Bay of Fundy, in the coastal and offshore waters of Newfoundland, off Labrador, in Davis Strait and on the Nova Scotian Shelf. Fin whales winter over near the 35th parallel North, between the North American coast and the edge of the continental shelf. A number of human generated threats associated with industrial and commercial activities in its habitat are potentially harmful to fin whales. Accordingly, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) granted this population the status of "special concern" in 1987 and, again, in 2005. Recovery PlanDuring the winter of 2005-2006, the Atlantic fin whale population was the subject of public consultations for its inclusion on Canada’s legal List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Recommendations for the fin whale will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I in April 2006. The final decision concerning its inclusion on Canada’s legal List of Wildlife Species at Risk will be made by the Governor-in-Council in August 2006. If included, it will be protected under the Species at Risk Act and a management plan should subsequently be developed. Limiting FactorsAccording to the update status report filed with COSEWIC
Ship strikes Noise pollution and other man-made disturbances Hunting Prey abundance Pollution According to the status report submitted to COSEWIC
Research projectsThrough their work, researchers are gaining a better understand of fin whale biology, the threats it faces and actions that could favour its recovery. What do fin whales do during the day? And at night? What ties unite the fin whales of the North Atlantic? Who are the fin whales of the Estuary? Does krill influence the dispersal of fin whales? Other linksRelated current events
Fisheries and Oceans Canada proposes a Recovery Strategy for Pacific blue, fin and sei whales (25 August 2005) COSEWIC meeting: fin whale and bowhead whale under study (12 May 2005) Other current events You may also wish to consult the Whale news network archives to read about encounters with this species. |
