From Azores to Labrador Seas

When friends come and visit, it is always such a lovely surprise. It’s the same feeling we got this morning when we sighted a Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis). Baleen whales are migratory in Azorian waters, they travel from Northern waters in order to feed in Arctic waters that are rich in food. There are different species of Baleen whales that can be sighted in spring and one of them is the Sei Whale.

The migration of Sei Whales has been understood through whaling records, since these whales used to be hunted in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere. The migration to feeding grounds in summer takes place when the whales move from temperate and tropical waters to Arctic waters passing through the Azores to get to the Labrador Seas.

Balaenoptera borealis (Illustration by Uko Gorter)

Due to whaling of Sei Whales both in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres during the 20th century, the species is now classified as endangered under the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Since the population decreased dramatically during this period. Nevertheless Sei Whales are still hunted in Japan.

Not only were we lucky enough to encounter a Sei Whale in the morning, but our afternoon tour was filled with joy when seeing three individuals, travelling together.

It was emotional and amazing to see Sei Whales but always so much fun to encounter dolphins like the Bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and Common dolphins(Delphinus delphis) on our way home while they bow ride and allow us to observe the difference in behaviour for each species of dolphin.

What a blast is always being out there at sea, sharing amazing experiences with all our visitors from different parts of the world.

Anaïs Builly

About Anaïs Builly

Anais Builly is Marine Biologist and Master of Biology, Ecology and Ecosystems, and of Bioproducts & Bioproduction of Marine Ecosystems, studied in France and South Africa. She is also Marine Wildlife Guide & Community Manager at TERRA AZUL. She is passionate about conservation of marine mammals, and loves being out in the ocean everyday.