Rare Fin Whale Sighting in the Gulf of Taranto Highlights Mediterranean Conservation Efforts

A fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), the second-largest animal on Earth, was recently spotted in the Gulf of Taranto by researchers from Jonian Dolphin Conservation. This rare sighting underscores the Mediterranean's crucial role in the conservation of this species. While not a frequent occurrence, fin whales are consistently present in the central Mediterranean. The sighting was part of the LIFE Conceptu Maris project, which focuses on the conservation of cetaceans and sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Out of over 4,150 cetacean observations, 1,140 involved fin whales, the only true whale regularly found in the Mediterranean. These whales are highly mobile and concentrate in areas like the Pelagos Sanctuary in the Ligurian Sea. The project uses ferries as research vessels, combining traditional research with new technologies to gather data on the distribution and ecological preferences of these species. The goal is to identify critical sites for cetaceans and sea turtles to develop effective long-term conservation strategies.