Researchers participating in the Madeira Ocean 2026 expedition have achieved a significant milestone by fitting a satellite tag to a Blainville's beaked whale. Scientific coordinator Beatriz Vinha stated that the tag is expected to stay on the animal for approximately six months, enabling researchers to track its movements.
This species is notoriously difficult to spot and approach, spending much of its time in deep waters. While Blainville's beaked whales have been sighted around Madeira before, successfully tagging one presents a considerable challenge. This may be the first successful tagging of the species in the western Atlantic, or possibly the entire Atlantic, though confirmation is still needed.
The tagging aims to enhance understanding of the whale's ecology and distribution, highlighting Madeira's importance as a habitat. The first stage of the expedition, conducted near the Desertas Islands and Funchal from October 2nd to 5th, also involved shorter-duration tags and other methods like underwater video systems and DNA sampling.
