Fin whale spotted in Channel Island waters

Monday 14 August 2023

A “massive” whale has been seen in deep waters between Guernsey and Jersey.

Donna de Gruchy, a co-ordinator of Jersey’s British Marine Life Divers Rescue, and her husband, André, spotted the whale from their boat seven miles off the north-west coast of Jersey.

The whale was about 15m long.

Ms de Gruchy and her BMLDR colleagues believe the whale is a fin whale, the second-largest species after the blue whale. 

Fin whales can grow to be 25m long, which is over two and half double-decker buses in length.

PIctured: An aerial shot of a fin whale (Shutterstock).

The sea mammal “moved quite the distance between breaths” making it difficult for Ms de Gruchy to identify from her boat, although photographs and videos captured by the wildlife enthusiast have since been used to try and confirm the identity of the species.

She explained: “From a quick glance, you would think it was a minke whale. However the size of this whale, and the way the whale moved, made us think otherwise.” 

The closest other option would be a juvenile fin whale.

She added: “Once we studied the shape of the fin more and could see the white jaw line, it became apparent that it was indeed a fin whale. 

“I have had opinions from some other BMLDR friends and colleagues, who have also confirmed that it was a fin whale too.”

In July, wildlife photographer John Ovenden captured two humpback whales on camera swimming between Guernsey, Sark and Jersey.

Ms de Gruchy said: “I am so excited to have seen this whale, I have been waiting years to see a minke whale, but to see a fin whale – I just wouldn’t have even imagined that would happen.”

Fin whales live in temperate waters across the world, but are more commonly found in deep water such as oceans, rather than in shallower waters close to shore.

Pictured top: The fin whale spotted between Guernsey and Jersey.