New record of the humpback whale in the Adriatic Sea in 2009

This dataset represents a record of the humpback whale (<i>Megaptera novaeangliae</i>) in Slovenian territorial waters (north Adriatic Sea) during February, March and April 2009. This is the first confirmed and documented record of this species for Slovenia and the Gulf of Trieste, the second for the Adriatic Sea and the 14th for the Mediterranean Sea. The whale was observed from the coast and from a small inflatable boat. Its dorsal fin, tail fluke and other body parts were photographed for the purposes of photo-identification and dive times were recorded. A biospy sample was also obtained. The animal was estimated to be a sub-adult or a young adult, about 10-12 m long, apparently in good body condition. Photo-identification matching with the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog did not reveal any matches and the animal was subsequently included in the catalog.<br><br>

Research was conducted under the scientific permit of the Slovenian Environmental Agency, number 35601-29/2009-4.