Sei Whales Sightings Be Crazy!
Baleen whales are migratory whales and are more often observed in Azores during April, May and June because of the yearly migrations from breeding grounds to feeding grounds.
But let me tell you a little something about Sei Whales (Balaenoptera borealis) Is a baleen whale that has been sighted during the last couple of months ! It is the third largest rorqual and is found usually in deep ocean waters.
They can reach lengths of 19 m and weigh as much as 30 tons. Because of their size they need and average intake of 900 kilos of copepods, krill or small fish to survive. They are called the “ Cheetah of the Ocean “ due to their fast speed that reaches up to 50 km/h. After whaling restrictions followed by most countries, See Whales are now protected.
But why are we seen See Whales during these time of the year you may ask ?…
Well, Sei Whales migrate from cool and sub-polar waters in summer to temperate and subtropical waters for winter where they can easily find food. In the Atlantic Ocean, research shows that whales north along the shelf. Found on Nova Scotian shelf in mid-September to mid-November. In the northeast Atlantic, they can be found as far as West Africa.
But do not let me overwhelm you with tons of information. Let me instead invite you to enjoy our beautiful encounter recorder by our Biologists on board, during one of our tours.