Fin Whale (Balaenopteraphysalus)

Langreyður, Baleine À Nageoires, Ballena de Aleta, Finnwal, Finhval, Finnhval, Baleia-comum

Fin whales are the second largest animals after the blue whale. Fin whales have been know to mate with blue whales and produce viable offspring. It is incredible to see the exhaled breath (blow) reaching 6-10 meters high just like a small geyser rising from the oceans surface and the long body that seems never ending as it dives back into the blue abyss. Unfortunately, these have also been hunted in Iceland since 2009 with few caught in 2008, the meat is mainly hunted for the market in Japan which is now significantly reduced if non existent. Read about the "Meet us, don't eat us" campaign here.

Seldom seen in Eyjafjörður/Akureyri - last sighting was in May 2021.

Length: 20-28 meters

Weight: 70- 120 tons

Life expectancy: 90 years – some found between 135 -140 years old

Est. population around Iceland: 10,000

Social behaviour: Mainly solitary but come together in feeding and mating grounds

Diet: Krill, small schooling fish

Suborder: Mysticeti – Baleen Whale

Family: Balaenopteridae – Rorqual

IUCN Listing: Endangered

Major threats: Whaling, climate change, chemical and noise pollution, ship strikes (most commonly struck whale)

Other Names: Langreyður, Baleine À Nageoires, Ballena de Aleta, Finnwal, Finhval, Ffinnhval, Baleia-comum