A study published last year in Marine Policy revealed that Chile has the highest whale mortality rate globally due to vessel collisions, highlighting a critical threat to several whale species in its waters.

The study collected data from 1972 to 2023 and determined that of 226 whale deaths in Chile, vessel strikes were the cause of 28%, followed by entanglements in fishing nets (7%) and natural predation (3%).

The nation's waters host key habitats for species such as fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), which rely on feeding grounds rich in nutrients along the coast.

Whales play an integral role in marine ecosystems, recycling nutrients and storing carbon that contributes to mitigating climate change. Yet, advocates such as Jocelyn Jimenez of the Antofagasta Cetacean Observers Network say that rising threats, including vessel strikes, endanger these keystone species. In addition to collisions, entanglement in fishing nets is a persistent issue, according to Alex Sanchez, another member of the observers' network.

Greenpeace's Silvana Espinosa highlighted the importance of whales acknowledging that "Whales help regulate the climate. They are nutrient pumps within the oceans providing food for other species. Protecting them and their habitat is crucial."

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. DRONE FOOTAGE OF WHALE OPENING MOUTH TO EAT

MEJILLONES, ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE (FEBRUARY 16, 2026) (ALEX SANCHEZ – No resale/ No archive/ Must on-screen courtesy Alex Sanchez) (MUTE)

2. DRONE FOOTAGE OF THREE FIN WHALES IN THE SEA

MEJILLONES, ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE (FEBRUARY 16, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

3. WHALES SWIMMING AT SEA SEEN FROM BOAT

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MARINE ECOLOGIST, CHRISTIAN GUERRA, SAYING:

"We've observed an increase in the number of whales—specifically the fin whale, or rorqual—which visits us between the months of October and January. That's the season, you could say, when we have this whale season here in the bay. And well, this bay—both Antofagasta and Mejillones—is quite rich in food, because this particular species comes exclusively to feed here along the Chilean coast."

5. TEAM OF OBSERVERS ON BOAT SIGHTING WHALES

6. (MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF BOAT

7. BOAT MOVING

8. (MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF BOAT

9. MEMBER OF ANTOFAGASTA CETACEAN OBSERVERS NETWORK, JOCELYN JIMENEZ, ON BOAT

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF ANTOFAGASTA CETACEAN OBSERVERS NETWORK JOCELYN JIMENEZ, SAYING:

"We're all here—the whole sightings network—to help protect them (whales) and assist them, and to accompany them as they pass through here, in northern Chile."

11. TEAM ON BOAT DURING SIGHTING

12. VARIOUS OF WHALES SWIMMING IN THE SEA

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF ANTOFAGASTA CETACEAN OBSERVERS NETWORK, ALEX SANCHEZ, SAYING:

"In Chile we face two problems: first, vessel collisions, and second, whale entanglement. This entanglement happens when boats go out to fish large fish, and the netting gear is left drifting."

ALGARROBO, CHILE (FEBRUARY 5, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

14. (MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF WHALE CORPSE ON COAST

15. VARIOUS OF OBSERVERS AROUND WHALE CORPSE

MEJILLONES, ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE (FEBRUARY 16, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MARINE ECOLOGIST, CHRISTIAN GUERRA, SAYING:

"Chile appears to be the main place where collisions are recorded. We're unfortunately leading in strandings and whale collisions along our coasts compared with the rest of the world."

17. VARIOUS OF FIN WHALES SWIMMING AT SEA

SANTIAGO, CHILE (FEBRUARY 17, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

18. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CLIMATE AND ECOSYSTEMS EXPERT AT GREENPEACE, SILVANA ESPINOSA, SAYING:

"It's very important that we protect them as species, but also that we protect their habitat — that is, the oceans. Whales help us regulate the climate; they are nutrient pumps within the oceans that also provide food for other species. For these and many other reasons, it's important to highlight them and protect them."

MEJILLONES, ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE (FEBRUARY 16, 2026) (ALEX SANCHEZ – No resale/ No archive/ Must on-screen courtesy Alex Sanchez) (MUTE)

19. DRONE FOOTAGE OF THREE FIN WHALES AT SEA

MEJILLONES, ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE (FEBRUARY 16, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE)

20. DRONE FOOTAGE OF SCULPTURE OF WHALE

21. DRONE FOOTAGE OF CITY BY THE SEA