Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) of the Strait of Gibraltar

We are presenting here the most characteristic individuals of the Strait. We currently have 236 identified individuals between 1999 and 2005 but we still have many photos to study in order to complete our catalogue. If you have pictures of pilot whales from the Strait where the dorsal fin is clearly shown, do not hesitate to send it to us with the date of the picture and, if available, the position in latitude and longitude, by email to:. We may already have it in our catalogue. If it is the case we will send you the history of that individual (where, when and with whom we have already seen it).

To name our individuals, first they receive a number (example: Gm_Gib_002) which correspond to the species (Gm = Globicephala melas), the place the picture was taken (Gib = Gibraltar) and the number given to the individual in the catalogue (002 = the second identified individual in the catalogue). Then, we give them a name, for example Monk and Pepe are two individuals very easy to recognise at sea as they both have their dorsal fin cut.

The drawing of the dorsal fin lets us find very rapidly a known individual as we are attracted only by the notches instead of the scars on the body that disappear with time.