Reencounter with the past: occurrence of sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) in an old hunting area in the south-eastern Pacific Ocean

• Published in: Nature Conservation
• Main Authors: Andrea Cisterna-Concha, Camila Calderón-Quirgas, Fernanda Silva-Andrades, Richard Muñoz, Heraldo V. Norambuena
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Pensoft Publishers 2023
• Subjects: Ecology; QH540-549.5; General. Including nature conservation; geographical distribution; QH1-199.5; Antarctic; Pacific; Antarc*; Balaenoptera borealis; Sei Whale
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.51.95690; https://doaj.org/article/26490c320438403e942f9364f437f93c

The sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) was intensively exploited throughout its range, with about 110.000 individuals hunted by pelagic fleets in Antarctic waters between 1960 and 1970. In addition, basic information on its distribution, migratory routes, and feeding grounds in the southeastern Pacific, has been poorly documented. In the case of Chile, recent information consists mainly of accidental records. This research presents the first sei whale photo-identification catalog for south-central Chile. From November 2019 to January 2020, 88 individuals were recorded from land-based and boat surveys at Caleta Chome. Of these, 12 individuals were photo-identified through scars or distinctive notches in the dorsal fins. The peak of sightings occurred during December 2019; two individuals were sighted on more than one occasion.