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Review of fin whale mortality events in the Adriatic Sea (1728–2012), with a description of a previously unreported killing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 November 2012

Nino Pierantonio  and
Giovanni Bearzi
Nino Pierantonio*
Affiliation:
Tethys Research Institute, Viale G.B. Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy
Giovanni Bearzi
Affiliation:
Dolphin Biology & Conservation, via Cupa 40, 06066 Piegaro (PG), Italy
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: N. Pierantonio, Tethys Research Institute, Viale G.B. Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper contributes an updated and detailed review of fin whale mortality events in the Adriatic Sea, encompassing four centuries. A total of 17 events, all referring to single animals, were validated through a content review of historical and recent information. Mortality events in the area mostly involved dead animals (N = 12; 70.6%), with 2 whales live-stranded (11.8%) and 3 killed (17.6%). Most records (70.6%) are for the last century, likely due to improved reporting. We provide a detailed description of the previously unpublished killing of an adult male fin whale which occurred in 1960 in the central-western portion of the basin.

Keywords

fin whaleBalaenoptera physalusmortalityAdriatic SeaMediterranean Sea
Type
Review Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 5 , August 2012 , e109
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2012

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