A Slovenian diver has spotted a rare type of a whale this weekend in Piran Bay, the Adriatic Sea. The humpback whale (Latin megaptera novaeangliae), has so far been spotted only five times in the Mediterranean and its appearance caused witty remarks, according to which the whale is on a special mission, considering the strenuous Croatian-Slovenian relations.

Slovene whale debate

According to the Slovenian press, this whale was previously spotted in the Trieste Bay waters, not far from Miglia and is between 10 and 15 metres long.

The Delo daily refers to a witness, a Slovene diver and amateur angler Damir Komadina from Isola, who noticed the whale while he was exploring a wreck of the Italian Rex ship, not far from the coast, which was sunk mid-last century. The ship is famous for being featured in Fellini`s Amarcord film. Komadina managed to follow the whale for a while, but lost it soon after.

Online forums developed extensive debates concerning the appearance of the first Slovene humpback whale, which took on humorous tones. One of the forum members stated that the whale was on a special mission, claiming it came to Piran Bay so that it could lobby for Slovenia to get its exit to the open sea, while others claim it was on a special spying mission, sent by Croats.

Slovene media also reported a statement of Slovene aquanauticist from Portoroz Ugo Fonda, claiming that the humpback whale has so far been spotted just two or three times in Northern Adriatic, therefore, its latest appearance was a “real sensation”. Humpback whales, Fonda clams, can consume up to two tones of food per day. If they are to inhabit Northern Adriatic, this might be a threat for the further survival of the Adriatic pilchard, however, they are not a threat for swimmers, Slovene media report.