A rare fin whale feeding display near the Pembrokeshire coast was recorded by a boater who said he keeps his distance to avoid disturbing wildlife, though encounters can happen unexpectedly.
“We do what we can to keep our distance in the boat, but nature can have a mind of its own sometimes,” the boater, identified as Morgan, said. “There have been times when we are anchored up fishing with nothing happening and a whale pops up next to us. The wildlife will approach you sometimes.”
Marine experts said the close view was uncommon. Dr. Marianna Chimienti, a lecturer in marine top predator ecology at Bangor University, called it a “rare and fortunate encounter.”
Chimienti, who specializes in animal behavior, said it is normal for fin whales to surface-feed as part of their foraging strategy. She added that seeing this behavior in coastal waters is particularly striking and noted that, in theory, these whales should have already migrated.
Fin whale feeding behavior and seasonal movements
Scientists know relatively little about fin whale migration compared with other baleen whales such as blues and humpbacks. Research indicates fin whales tend to be more abundant at higher latitudes during warmer months and shift toward lower latitudes in colder months, though patterns can vary.
The Pembrokeshire sighting underscores how dynamic ocean conditions and prey availability can bring large whales closer to shore, offering a rare look at one of the world’s second-largest whale species.
