Vava’u, Tonga – A puzzling footage shared on Facebook showing a whale tail has raised alarms among Tongan communities, with some fearing it may indicate illegal whaling activity near Fonualei Island.
The unsettling discovery comes during Tonga’s peak whale-watching season (July-October), when humpback whales migrate to the islands’ warm waters to breed and calve.
This annual event, vital to both tourism and marine ecology, makes the apparent slaughter even more alarming—raising fears that poachers may be targeting protected whales while they gather in Tonga’s sanctuary waters.
The brief streamed video clip, which has gone viral locally, captures only the tail of what appears to be a whale, leaving viewers questioning what happened to the rest of the animal.
The video streamer was shown holding the tail, estimating it to be three to four feet long, and stated that such findings were common in the area.
While some social media users have speculated about possible poaching, authorities caution that the video alone does not confirm illegal activity.
The sighting has put local fishermen and conservationists on high alert.
“We don’t know if this is connected to anything suspicious, but we’re watching carefully,” said a Vava’u-based marine observer.
Tonga has strict protections for whales, making any potential hunting or harassment illegal.
While authorities have not yet identified those responsible, the removal of teeth and fins points to commercial poaching.
These whale parts are highly valued in underground markets for carvings, jewellery, and traditional remedies. The wasteful practice—where only select body parts are taken—mirrors the cruel methods of shark finning operations.
