After a century of absence due to hunting, the massive gray-blue Sei whales are returning to the waters of Patagonia, Argentina.
In the 1920s and 1930s, whaling along the coast of Argentina and many other places led to a dramatic decline in the Sei whale population. However, thanks to the global ban on commercial whaling that has been in place for the past 50 years, the population of Sei whales, along with many other species, has had a chance to recover.
Sei Whale – (Photo: marinebio.org).
Mr. Mariano Coscarella, a biologist and marine ecosystem expert at CONICET – Argentina’s national scientific agency, stated: “The Sei whales disappeared not because of extinction but due to hunting to the point where no one saw them anymore“.
Mr. Coscarella noted that it may take several decades for the Sei whale population to recover to levels where they can be frequently spotted off the coast of Argentina.
He explained that Sei whales reproduce every 2-3 years, so it will take nearly 100 years for this species’ numbers to increase significantly enough for people to recognize their presence.
Last month, the research team attached satellite tracking devices to several Sei whales to map their migratory routes. They recorded images of these whales from boats, drones, and underwater.
Mr. Coscarella affirmed that this is evidence of the success of global conservation efforts, emphasizing that the global ban on whaling has played a crucial role in the increase of Sei whale populations.
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The Third Largest Whale Species Reaching lengths of up to 20.5 meters and weighing up to 75 tons, the Sei whale is the third largest whale species after the blue whale and the fin whale. They are also one of the fastest marine mammals, capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h over short distances. Sei whales primarily inhabit the oceans and adjacent seas, favoring deep offshore waters. Each day, they consume an average of about 900 kg of food, mainly consisting of plankton, small crustaceans, and mollusks. |
