The fin whale is the second largest of all the whales. They can live for over 90 years and reach full physical maturity between 25 and 30 years of age. Females are larger than males and can reach 27 metres in length and 80 tonnes in weight. They are the fastest swimming of all the large whales; they can sustain speeds of 37 kilometres per hour and have been clocked making short bursts of over 40 kilometres an hour. They are listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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Humpback whales reach lengths of 12 - 17 metres and weights of up to 40 tonnes, and are found in all oceans of the world. Life span is estimated to 50 years. A newborn calf weighs 700 kg and depends on its mother for a full year after birth. Single young are born every two or three years after a pregnancy of 11 months.

The species was heavily depleted by whaling. They are recovering well in some areas but poorly in others with some populations remaining endangered.

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The Esperanza (Spanish for "hope") is the latest and largest vessel in the Greenpeace fleet. She was named by none other than our cyberactivists.

© Greenpeace / Kate Davison

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