HUMPBACK WHALE (Megaptera novaeangilae) — The humpback whale is characterized by its huge flippers, which are nearly one third of the body lengthwise. They are noted for its long and complex repetitive vocalizations. The average weight is about 50 tons and length 45 feet. The humpback whale is very shy and a fast swimmer. Their blubber is not resilient, so that hooks tore through it. The average humpback yielded 35 barrels of oil and no commercial bone.

BLUE WHALE (Balaenoptera musculus) — Sometimes called the sulfur bottom whale, the blue whale is the largest whale and may be the largest animal ever to inhabit the earth. Blue whales have reached lengths of up to 100 feet and weight of up to 160 tons. Blue whales are surface feeders, eating krill in the southern oceans and small-size school fish in the northern hemisphere. Blue whales yield large quantities of oil, sometimes as much as 300 barrels, or almost 10,000 gallons per whale. Blue whales are found worldwide but their population was severely depleted by commercial whaling until the 1966 IWC ban.

FIN WHALE (Balaenopetera physalus) — The Fin whales are the second largest baleen whale with mature specimens ranging from 60 to 80 feet and 65 to 70 tons. When compared with historic levels, the population of the fin is depleted, but it is more abundant than many other large whales. The fin whale is the greyhound of whales, moving at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. It inhabits all the oceans but avoids tropical waters. Because of its speed, harpoons would often pull out, and thus it was not favored by whalers in the age of sail. The average fin whale yielded 35 barrels of oil and no commercial bone.