General Description

Upper body dark grey, white to pale-grey underneath. Lines (throat pleats) underneath from throat to middle of the body. Dorsal fin with curved edge. Water spray from blowhole is a vertical jet less than 5 m high. Up to 19 m long.

Biology

Sei Whales are shy animals and usually avoid ships. They feed by lunging at shoals of fish and crustaceans.

Humans interactions include:
Commercial exploitation of this species ended in 1979 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Habitat

Deep waters.

Open water

Distribution guide

Worldwide. Most Australian waters. Potentially near Port Phillip, recorded from Victoria.

Species Group

Mammals › Whales and dolphins

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

Surface Midwater

Max Size

19 m

Diet

Plankton or Particles

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Data Deficient
• EPBC Act 1999 : Vulnerable
• IUCN Red List : Endangered
• CITES : Trade restrictions (Appendix I)