Fin Whale Tagging Mission

As Malizia Explorer, we supported the filming of a new Terra X episode on the Mediterranean by hosting a team of scientists off the coast of Denia, Spain. This region is a key migration route where fin whales pass close to land on their way toward Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. On board, researchers Simone and Viola Panigada from the Tethys Research Institute, together with Spanish colleagues, conducted field studies to better understand the whales’ seasonal movements. Their work aims to identify critical migration corridors and advocate for mandatory ship speed limits in order to reduce fatal collisions. Over three days at sea the team carried out intensive monitoring and tracking, including the complex process of tagging whales at the surface, generating essential data to support long-term marine conservation efforts.