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Volume 13
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Migration in the Strait of Gibraltar: Evaluating Maritime Traffic Threats and Conservation Measures

by
Rocío Espada
1,2,*,
Liliana Olaya-Ponzone
1,
Estefania Martín-Moreno
2,
Paco Gil-Vera
3,
Iris Anfruns Fernández
3,
Daniel Patón Domínguez
4 and
José Carlos García-Gómez
1,5,*
1
Laboratory of Marine Biology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
2
Ecolocaliza, C/Gibraltar, 183, 6, La Línea de la Concepción, 11300 Cádiz, Spain
3
Turmares Tarifa, C/Alcalde Juan Núñez, 3, Tarifa, 11380 Cádiz, Spain
4
Ecology Unit, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
5
Seville Aquarium R + D + i Research Area, Seville Aquarium, 41006 Seville, Spain
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(11), 2156; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13112156
Submission received: 27 September 2025 / Revised: 29 October 2025 / Accepted: 4 November 2025 / Published: 14 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combining Field Observations and Satellite Remote Sensing to Monitor Marine Ecosystem Dynamics)
Versions Notes

Abstract

The Strait of Gibraltar (SG) is a key biogeographic and ecological corridor connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, enabling the seasonal migrations of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). The objective of this study was to characterize, for the first time, the spatial and temporal exposure of the species to maritime traffic during its migration through the SG, quantifying movement patterns, individual composition, and collision risk to identify critical areas for conservation. Validated observations collected between April 2016 and October 2024, with additional records in January and March 2025, were integrated with EMODnet vessel density layers to assess monthly distributions of sightings, individuals, calves, migration patterns, and behavior. A total of 347 sightings comprising 692 individuals were recorded, revealing predominantly westward movements between June and August. Spatial overlap analyses indicated that the highest exposure occurred both near the Bay of Algeciras/Gibraltar and in the northern half of the Central SG, where cargo ship and tanker traffic coincides with dense migration routes and where injuries have been documented in the field. These findings delineate high-risk areas for fin whales throughout the SG and provide an empirical basis for spatial management measures, including speed reduction zones, adaptive route planning, and the possible designation of the area as a cetacean migration corridor. The proposed measures aim to mitigate collision risk and ensure long-term ecological connectivity between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
Keywords: fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus); ship strikes; marine traffic; migration corridor; marine spatial planning fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus); ship strikes; marine traffic; migration corridor; marine spatial planning

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MDPI and ACS Style

Espada, R.; Olaya-Ponzone, L.; Martín-Moreno, E.; Gil-Vera, P.; Fernández, I.A.; Patón Domínguez, D.; García-Gómez, J.C. Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Migration in the Strait of Gibraltar: Evaluating Maritime Traffic Threats and Conservation Measures. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13, 2156. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13112156

AMA Style

Espada R, Olaya-Ponzone L, Martín-Moreno E, Gil-Vera P, Fernández IA, Patón Domínguez D, García-Gómez JC. Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Migration in the Strait of Gibraltar: Evaluating Maritime Traffic Threats and Conservation Measures. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2025; 13(11):2156. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13112156

Chicago/Turabian Style

Espada, Rocío, Liliana Olaya-Ponzone, Estefania Martín-Moreno, Paco Gil-Vera, Iris Anfruns Fernández, Daniel Patón Domínguez, and José Carlos García-Gómez. 2025. "Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Migration in the Strait of Gibraltar: Evaluating Maritime Traffic Threats and Conservation Measures" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 13, no. 11: 2156. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13112156

APA Style

Espada, R., Olaya-Ponzone, L., Martín-Moreno, E., Gil-Vera, P., Fernández, I. A., Patón Domínguez, D., & García-Gómez, J. C. (2025). Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Migration in the Strait of Gibraltar: Evaluating Maritime Traffic Threats and Conservation Measures. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(11), 2156. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13112156

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