Blue Whale

Blue whales occur as a resident-associated pygmy form and migrating Antarctic animals. They are the largest animals known to have lived. They are long and streamlined with mottled blue-grey skin and a tiny dorsal fin. Large animals can exceed 25 metres.

Pygmy blue whales regularly use South Taranaki Bight and central waters. Antarctic whales pass through deeper water during migration. They filter krill through baleen. Low-frequency calls can travel very long distances underwater.

DOC lists pygmy blue whales as Nationally Vulnerable and Antarctic blue whales as Migrant. South Taranaki Bight is important feeding habitat, but sightings are not dependable. Offshore surveys occasionally encounter whales.