Scientific Name: Megaptera novaeangliae Fijian Name: ‘tavuto’
The humpback whale is one of the many whales that pass through Fiji waters and are probably best known for their “songs,” which are considered to be the most complex vocalization in the animal kingdom. This gregarious species is also known for its cooperative hunting method the bubble net feeding technique, in which a pod of whales form a circle and produce columns of bubbles to concentrate herds of fish in their midst. The endangered humpback is protected by law and populations have partially recovered.
In taking a firmer step in the protection of whales, Fiji declared its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) a whale sanctuary in 2003.
