Oceanographers glimpsed a blue whale about 1km away from their research ship in the Whittard Canyon last week. The canyon lies about 250 miles off the British coast on the northern margin of the Bay of Biscay.
Blue Whale
The scientists aboard the RRS James Cook were going about their daily research into the seabed and marine life of the canyon when the whale, twice as long as a double-decker bus, surfaced briefly.
Chief scientist of the expedition Veerle Huvenne, of the National Oceanography Centre, stated: "There was huge excitement on board as many people got a glimpse of their first blue whale, but only later did we realise that this is probably the first to be photographed within English waters. The Biscay margin is already recognised as a hotspot for whales, dolphins and seabirds - our new data further underlines the importance of this area for iconic marine life."
The researches have also a remotely operated vehicle to record a broad-billed swordfish, also rare in UK waters, and more than 20 fin whales.
In the early 20th century, the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet, was hunted almost to extinction in the north-east Atlantic, but this sighting may indicate that the population is slowly starting to recover and move into new areas.