Fauna, Scuba News, Underwater Environment

The body of a giant whale has been found in Italy

A dead common fin whale(Balaenoptera physalus) found in Italy in the Mediterranean Sea is probably one of the largest whales ever found. The local coastguard reported that the body of a huge fin whale was discovered on Sunday, January 17, near the Italian port of Sorrento. The dead whale was then towed to the nearby

ByTomasz Andrukajtis

Published: January 26, 2021 - 12:35

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 21:54

The body of a giant whale has been found in Italy

A dead common fin whale(Balaenoptera physalus) found in Italy in the Mediterranean Sea is probably one of the largest whales ever found.

The local coastguard reported that the body of a huge fin whale was discovered on Sunday, January 17, near the Italian port of Sorrento. The dead whale was then towed to the nearby port of Naples.

-- Advertisement --

From the information available, the whale measured around 20 metres long and probably weighed more than 70 tonnes, which, according to the figures quoted, probably makes it one of the largest whales ever found in the Mediterranean.

Si sono concluse questa notte le complesse operazioni di rimozione e trasporto dell’esemplare di balenottera individuato…

Posted by Corpo delle Capitanerie di Porto – Guardia Costiera on Wednesday, January 20, 2021

According to news reports from Italy, coastguard divers have found a dead fin whale after a young whale calf entered the port of Sorrento in a highly stressed state. The calf reportedly hit its head several times on the harbour walls, after diving back under the water. When divers followed it, they discovered the carcass of a fin whale.

The calf is believed to be the young of a dead whale. The coastguard is currently monitoring nearby waters in search of the young fin whale. In the meantime, marine biologists from Naples are working to determine the cause of death of the adult.

Common fins, also known as finwhales, are the second largest animals on Earth. Only the blue whale is bigger than them. Adults can reach 25 metres in body length and weigh up to 72 tonnes. After commercial whaling decimated the global fin whale population over the past century, the species is considered to be at risk of extinction.

Photo: Maresca Antonio/AMP Punta Campanella

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis

Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.