# Whale population recovery in Southeast Atlantic

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/whale-population-recovery-in-southeast-atlantic
> Updated: 2026-10-13T10:42:11.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

A study published in the African Journal of Marine Science indicates that Antarctic blue whales and southern fin whales are showing signs of recovery in the Southeast Atlantic. Researchers have noted an increasing frequency of sightings off the west coasts of Namibia and South Africa.

While absolute numbers remain low, 95 percent of verified records occurred between 2012 and 2025. Lead author Bridget James of the University of Cape Town noted that while sightings are still rare, they are becoming “more frequent than in previous decades.” Experts suggest this trend may reflect a genuine population recovery as whales reoccupy historical ranges, though they caution that increased offshore activity may also contribute to higher detection rates.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-13: Rare sharks and bluefin tuna spotted in the Belgian North Sea

Researchers in the Belgian North Sea captured three rare juvenile smooth-hound sharks and observed Atlantic bluefin tuna, marking significant sightings for these endangered species.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rare-sharks-and-bluefin-tuna-spotted-in-the-belgian-north-sea

### 2026-09-28: Blue and fin whales show signs of recovery in Southeast Atlantic

Increased sightings of Antarctic blue and southern fin whales off Namibia and South Africa suggest a gradual recovery from 20th-century commercial whaling.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/blue-and-fin-whales-show-signs-of-recovery-in-southeast-atlantic

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Cite as: Whale population recovery in Southeast Atlantic. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/whale-population-recovery-in-southeast-atlantic