27.04.2023 – Fragile beauty

Wow, did the Atlantic have some incredible surprises in store for our team today! We kicked off the day with a magnificent morning tour on both boats. Our fleet managed sightings with a few gorgeous Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and two giant Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). Fin whales are majestic baleen whales with enormous yet slender bodies and an asymmetric head colouring, with the right cheek a lighter colour or with the characteristic “white flash” Unlike other rorquals visiting the islands waters, the second largest animal on earth rarely turns up alone and usually travels through our waters in the company of one or more conspecifics. 

Our Stenella then dashed out to encounter a juvenile Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), another large rorqual that nonetheless looked tiny in comparison to the Fin whales. We went on to meet a group of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that were busy ripping Black scabbard fish off the long-lines as the fishermen collected their catch. Such sightings have become more frequent and it is essential that our team supports efforts to solve the problem by documenting such situations. Meanwhile, guests aboard our Ribeira Brava managed to see two Hammerhead sharks, likely Scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini). This critically endangered species is the most frequently sighted shark species during our trips but, sadly, sightings of sharks in general have become increasingly rare. 

In the afternoon our team met common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and a few more vulnerable predators. Two groups of Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) were discreetly passing through our search area. We managed a lovely sighting with the acoustically sensitive animals, who are usually quite timid towards boats and afraid of noise at the surface. We also managed to meet a few basking Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), another endangered species that is severely suffering the consequences of overfishing and plastic pollution.

Today was a reminder for both our crew and guests of the beauty but also the fragility of our beautiful ocean.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Fin whales, Short-beaked common dolphins

13:30 Blainville’s beaked whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Bottlenose Dolphins, Fin whales, Sei whale, Short-beaked common dolphins

12:30 Blainville’s beaked whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins