The characterisation of fin whale (B. physalus) vocalisations in the Cape San Antonio area in the summer and winter months has been investigated using passive acoustic monitoring techniques (PAM). Most of the sounds collected in the literature review were detected: singlets and doublets with frequencies around 20Hz and duration of 1 s., backbeats with almost the same duration and shorter frequency range (17-20Hz), 135Hz notes which last around 0.7s. and range from 120-130Hz; and downsweeps centred around 75-50Hz and 0.6-0.7s. of duration. For this last sound, a diurnal pattern of emission was detected and also two types of them, depending on their frequency. The measurement of acoustic parameters made it possible to differentiate the 20Hz notes between the winter and summer seasons, thus enabling groups of individuals to be distinguished. In addition, the inter-note interval (INI) was measured and several groups were differenciated according to date and time during the winter. Interestingly, 135Hz notes, until now associated with the Atlantic population, have been detected in the Mediterranean area and for every group of individuals. Finally, the results of this study provide valuable information on the acoustics of the fin whale present in the Mediterranean Sea. In the future, these results will be useful for an in-depth knowledge of the presence and distribution of the species and the population identity, which will allow a good management of conservation measures.
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