Fin Whale Range Distribution

Chart 5 -- Fin Whale Range Distribution.

Once one of the most abundant of the large whales, the Fin whale was heavily exploited by the whaling industry and its population has been severely depleted. Current figures suggest that a mere 80,000 animals remain worldwide with between fifty and several hundred in the MBNMS. Fin whales within the MBNMS range throughout the Sanctuary boundaries from April through September and commonly feed on krill associated with upwelling at the boundaries of offshore currents. The area depicted by small blue dots illustrates the major adult area whereas the area depicted by the larger blue dots illustrates the general adult area.