Two sperm whales spotted in Deep Aegean sea trench
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
Researchers have spotted and recorded two large male sperm whales in the Ikaria Trench, a deep and largely unexplored sea canyon in the Aegean Sea, highlighting the area's importance as a biodiversity hotspot.
The sighting was made this week by a crew from the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation during a research expedition.
The institute described the trench, which lies between the islands of Ikaria, Chios, and Samos, as “a biodiversity hotspot that remains largely unexplored.”
Sperm whales, the largest toothed whales on the planet, use the deep waters of the trench as a migratory route and feeding area. They are some of the most impressive marine mammals we have recorded in recent days with the crew of Triton. They are the largest toothed whales on the planet, weighing up to 50 tonnes and reaching lengths of 16–18 meters.
During the same expedition, the research team also documented five pods of dolphins and observed an endangered Mediterranean monk seal.
The Archipelagos Institute, which has been monitoring the region for over 25 years, said the findings significantly expand the understanding of this unique marine environment.
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