On Tuesday, March 10, the first blue whale of the year was sighted during a whale-watching tour operated by North Sailing in Skjálfandi Bay. This is very welcome news, as the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is both rarely seen off the coast of Iceland and the largest animal on Earth.
Blue whales are encountered far less frequently than other large whale species in the area, making each sighting a truly unique experience for both passengers and guides. Seeing this enormous yet vulnerable species serves as a reminder of the rich marine life found in Icelandic waters, as well as the responsibility we share in protecting it.
A Small Population Despite Protection
Blue whales are divided into several distinct populations, and the population occurring in Icelandic waters is considered part of the Central North Atlantic population. Its size is estimated at only 1–2 individuals, fewer than 1.000 of which are sexually mature. Although the population has increased since commercial whaling was banned in 1966, it remains far below its former numbers.
Due to the small size of the population and its slow rate of recovery, the blue whale is classified as Vulnerable (VU) in Iceland, and Endangered (EN) both in Europe and globally.
Why Are Blue Whales at Risk?
The primary cause of the decline of blue whales was intensive whaling during the 19th and 20th centuries, when the species was hunted extensively because of its size and large quantities of blubber. Although whaling is now prohibited, its impacts are still evident. Blue whales are particularly vulnerable because:
- they reach sexual maturity late (around 10 years of age)
- females give birth only every two to three years
- both gestation and calf-rearing periods are long
In addition, ship strikes, underwater noise, and pollution may negatively affect the species, although natural predators are not considered to have a significant impact on population size.
The Largest Animal on Earth
Blue Whales at the Húsavík Whale Museum
