European Ocean Biodiversity Information System

Starting in March 2013, the aim of the Fin Whale Project is to improve the knowledge about the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Mediterranean Sea.
During the surveys geographical, environmental, biological, behavioral and population data of every sighting will be collected. With this data, an assessment can be made for the fin whale population of Western Mediterranean, as well as from other cetacean species.
The study area is located in the waters in front of the central Catalan coast, between the villages of Castellfdefels and Segur de Calafell. The study will focus on a zone located between 5 and 12 nautical miles offshore and between the 200 and 1000 meters isobaths.
This study area was chosen after finding out that there are several documented fin whale sightings in this zone during the last few years, that make think that the Catalan Sea could be a passing zone between wintering grounds (probably located in the southern part of the basin) and the summer feeding grounds, especially the Ligurian Sea.

The study is foccussed on the fin whale in the Mediterranean Sea, but we also see other cetaceans such as striped dolphin or bottlenose dolphin. One of the goals of our organization is to contribute to the conservation of the marine life. Purpose: The Mediterranean fin whale population is rather small and its distribution uncertain for the most part of the year. The main goal of the project is to collect geographical, environmental, biological, behavioral and population data of every sighting. We also want to take photographs of every whale detected. Supplemental information: The sightings have been made during the Fin Whale Project, a study approved by the Biodiversity and Protection of Animals division of the Departament of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing, Food and the Environment of the Catalan Government. With this project we expect to improve our knowledge about the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Mediterranean Sea.