First record of fin whale Balaenoptera physalus in the Mexican Caribbean

Background. Until 2015, the aquatic mammal’s biodiversity in the Mexican Caribbean was unknown, but was in that year when 18 species were confirmed to be distribute in this region, none of them a Rorcual species. Goals. The aim of this work is to report the first sighting of a Balaenopteridae whale in the Mexican Caribbean. Methods. CONANP patrolling activities at the National Park Isla Contoy were conduced. Results On 2th August 2018, a stranded-live whale was found. The animal was identified as a ~18m (in length) fin whale Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758). Conclusions. This note is the first confirmed record of this species in the Mexican Caribbean increasing the list of confirmed aquatic mammal species distributed in this region.