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Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
Mediterranean subpopulation
Taxonomy
Family
Balaenopteridae
Relevant Common Names
EN
FR
ES
AR
HR
EL
HE
IT
ML
PT
TR
fi n whale
rorqual commun
rorcual común
(harcul chaii)
veliki kit
πτεροφάλαινα (pterofálaina)
(livyatan matzui)
balenottera comune
baliena mbaðða
baleia-comum
uzun balina
Assessment Information
Data Defi cient (DD)
Year Assessed
2006
Assessor(s)
Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Simone Panigada
Evaluator(s)
IUCN/ACCOBAMS Workshop on the Red List Assessment of Cetaceans in the ACCOBAMS Area
(Monaco, 5-7 March 2006)
Justification
Although a great deal is known about fi n whales in the Mediterranean, participants in the Monaco
workshop concluded that appropriate data on trends in abundance and population-level threats were
insuffi cient. Based on the information available, the subpopulation appears to be genetically differentiated
from fi n whales in the Atlantic and probably contains fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. However, in
spite of the fact that some mortality is caused by vessel collisions and entanglement in fi shing gear, it
is impossible to judge whether the rate of human-caused mortality is high enough to cause population
decline. Therefore, Data Defi cient was proposed. A listing of Near Threatened was considered equally (or
more) appropriate by some participants.
The following three areas of research are high priorities for improving the state of knowledge and allowing
a more informed assessment of this subpopulation:
1. Fin whale surveys should be extended to the entire basin, thus covering areas such as the Tyrrhenian
and Ionian Seas known to be inhabited at least seasonally by fi n whales. Such surveys, however, should
employ methods and designs that produce the best possible estimates of current abundance whilst also
Annex 3: Regular Species 11