Presence of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in Mejillones Bay, a major seaport area in northern Chile Presencia de ballenas de aleta (Balaenoptera physalus) en bahía Mejillones, un puerto principal en el norte de Chile

In this paper we report the apparently seasonal presence of fin whales in Mejillones Bay (23°S), in northern Chile. We compiled a total of 19 sightings representing 95 whales, including 2 mother-calf pairs, between July and October 2006- 2014. We observed groups of 1-10 individuals (mean 5 ± 2.7 ind.) principally in nearshore waters, 30 -1000 m off the southwestern tip of Mejillones Bay in austral winter/spring. Fin whales came close to, and potential ly overlapped with, the main port access routes of large cargo vessels. Information from real-time monitoring of whale p resence relayed to Port Authorities is suggested as to avoid collisions.