Mesoplodon europaeus . Gervais’ beaked whales are little known members of the beaked whale family, Ziphiidae. Sometimes called the "Antillean" or "Gulf Stream beaked whale," this species prefers deep tro
Source: Species facts, status language, and imagery adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile (last updated 04/03/2026). Ocean City charter and Maryland
record notes are editorial orientation for OCEANCITY.MD readers. Always confirm current seasons, sizes, and
bag limits before you fish—rules change.
Lifespan: Estimated at least 27 years but may be up to 48 years
Region: New England/Mid-Atlantic,
Southeast
Category: Protected species · Mid-Atlantic
Maryland likelihood: 1★ out of 5
About the species
Gervais’ beaked whales are little known members of the beaked whale family, Ziphiidae. Sometimes called the "Antillean" or "Gulf Stream beaked whale," this species prefers deep tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean but is occasionally found in colder temperate seas.
There is little information on the abundance of Gervais’ beaked whales worldwide, though they may be the most commonly sighted species of the Mesoplodon genus off the U.S. Atlantic coast and the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). They are also the most common Mesoplodon species to strand on the U.S. southeastern Atlantic coast. The beaked whale family is cryptic and skittish, and distinguishing between species in the field can be challenging.
Like all marine mammals, Gervais’ beaked whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act . They face threats from entanglement in fishing gear and human-caused noise. Gervais’ beaked whales are considered “data deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature list of threatened species, meaning that there is not enough information to assess their population status.
Maryland record catch
Confirm whether Maryland DNR publishes an Atlantic state-record category for Gervais' Beaked Whale on the current sport-fish record board.
Gervais' Beaked Whale is a protected marine species in U.S. waters. Do not harvest. This guide is biology and Ocean City context only—not a fishing target.
Even when dead, many species of beaked whales, especially those in the genus Mesoplodon that includes Gervais’ beaked whales, are very difficult to distinguish from one another because they lack easily discernible or apparent physical characteristics.
As adults, Gervais' beaked whales can reach lengths of about 15 to 17 feet and weigh at least 2,640 pounds. Females may be slightly larger than males. Mature males can be distinguished from females and juveniles by a pair of visible teeth that erupt from the front portion of their bottom jaw. Females and juveniles also have teeth, but they remain hidden beneath the mouth’s gum tissue. Gervais beaked whales typically have straight or slightly curved jawlines.
Gervais' beaked whales have a relatively small to medium-size body with a moderately long beak and an indistinct sloping forehead (or melon). They have a small, triangular, wide-based, slightly hooked dorsal fin located far down the back. Their coloring is dark gray or bluish to black, with a paler ventral side. They tend to become darker as they age. Both females and males often have a pronounced dark patch around the eye. Females and young males may have a series of small, faint, wavy stripes down the centerline of the back. Mature males may also have linear scars from battles over females; however, scarring is generally not heavy with this species.
Behavior and Diet At sea, Gervais’ beaked whales are challenging to observe and identify to the species level because of their cryptic, skittish behavior; low profile; and a small, inconspicuous blow at the water’s surface. Therefore, much of the available characterization for beaked whales is to the genus level only.
Gervais' beaked whales are usually found individually or in small closely associated social groups. While diving, they use suction to feed mainly on cephalopods (e.g., squid), mysid shrimp, and small fish in deep water.
Lifespan & Reproduction The estimated lifespan of this species is at least 27 years but may be up to 48 years. Females may become sexually mature at 15 feet. A sexually mature female will give birth to a single newborn calf that is about 7 feet long and weighs about 176 pounds.
Appearance
At sea, Gervais’ beaked whales are challenging to observe and identify to the species level because of their cryptic, skittish behavior; low profile; and a small, inconspicuous blow at the water’s surface. Therefore, much of the available characterization for beaked whales is to the genus level only.
Gervais' beaked whales are usually found individually or in small closely associated social groups. While diving, they use suction to feed mainly on cephalopods (e.g., squid), mysid shrimp, and small fish in deep water.
Lifespan & Reproduction The estimated lifespan of this species is at least 27 years but may be up to 48 years. Females may become sexually mature at 15 feet. A sexually mature female will give birth to a single newborn calf that is about 7 feet long and weighs about 176 pounds.
Threats Entanglement in Fishing Gear Gervais' beaked whales have been incidentally taken as bycatch in fishing gear, such as pound nets off the U.S. Atlantic coast (e.g., New Jersey) and potentially in driftnets and gillnets.
Hunting This species may be captured in the Caribbean Sea for food.
Ocean Noise Deep-diving cetaceans like Gervais’ beaked whales use sound to feed, communicate, and navigate in the ocean. This species may be sensitive to underwater sounds and man-made noise. Sound pollution threatens them by interrupting their normal behavior and driving them away from areas important to their survival, such as feeding and breeding waters.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea Family Ziphiidae Genus Mesoplodon Species europaeus Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/03/2026
Biology
The estimated lifespan of this species is at least 27 years but may be up to 48 years. Females may become sexually mature at 15 feet. A sexually mature female will give birth to a single newborn calf that is about 7 feet long and weighs about 176 pounds.
Threats Entanglement in Fishing Gear Gervais' beaked whales have been incidentally taken as bycatch in fishing gear, such as pound nets off the U.S. Atlantic coast (e.g., New Jersey) and potentially in driftnets and gillnets.
Hunting This species may be captured in the Caribbean Sea for food.
Ocean Noise Deep-diving cetaceans like Gervais’ beaked whales use sound to feed, communicate, and navigate in the ocean. This species may be sensitive to underwater sounds and man-made noise. Sound pollution threatens them by interrupting their normal behavior and driving them away from areas important to their survival, such as feeding and breeding waters.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea Family Ziphiidae Genus Mesoplodon Species europaeus Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/03/2026
Where they live
Range
The estimated lifespan of this species is at least 27 years but may be up to 48 years. Females may become sexually mature at 15 feet. A sexually mature female will give birth to a single newborn calf that is about 7 feet long and weighs about 176 pounds.
Threats Entanglement in Fishing Gear Gervais' beaked whales have been incidentally taken as bycatch in fishing gear, such as pound nets off the U.S. Atlantic coast (e.g., New Jersey) and potentially in driftnets and gillnets.
Habitat
See the NOAA species profile for habitat detail for this entry.
Ocean City & Mid-Atlantic context
From Ocean City, Maryland, use this Gervais' Beaked Whale profile as NOAA Mid-Atlantic directory context—not a promise you will meet the species on every charter.
Gervais' Beaked Whale is protected. Do not harvest. Report unusual strandings or entanglements through official channels.
Source facts and imagery are adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile for Gervais' Beaked Whale.
What charter to book from Ocean City
Gervais' Beaked Whale is not a standard Ocean City charter harvest target. Use this profile for NOAA biology and Mid-Atlantic context only.
Not typical from OC
Bay guide — Not a typical Ocean City bay guide target for Gervais' Beaked Whale.
Inshore charter — Not a typical Ocean City inshore charter target for Gervais' Beaked Whale.
Casting / light tackle — Not a typical Ocean City casting / light tackle target for Gervais' Beaked Whale.
Trolling charter — Not a typical Ocean City trolling charter target for Gervais' Beaked Whale.
Nearshore wreck / bottom — Not a typical Ocean City nearshore wreck / bottom target for Gervais' Beaked Whale.
Offshore charter — Not a typical Ocean City offshore charter target for Gervais' Beaked Whale.
Head / party boat — Not a typical Ocean City head / party boat target for Gervais' Beaked Whale.
Start with the charter directory trip-type picker so you compare boats inside the right
archetype—not a bay-guide quote against a canyon invoice.
Reducing Interactions with Fishing Gear Gervais’ beaked whales are caught as bycatch in fishing gear, leading to deaths and serious injuries, such as in pound nets off the U.S. Atlantic coast, leading to deaths and serious injuries. NOAA Fisheries is committed to minimizing bycatch in U.S. fisheries to ensure populations are sustainable and to protect species such as the Gervais’ beaked whale.
Learn more about bycatch and fisheries interactions
Overseeing Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response We work with volunteer networks in all coastal states to respond to marine mammal strandings including all whales. When stranded animals are found alive, NOAA Fisheries and our partners assess the animal’s health and determine the best course of action. When stranded animals are found dead, our scientists work to understand and investigate the cause of death. Although the cause often remains unknown, scientists can sometimes attribute strandings to disease, harmful algal blooms, vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglements, pollution exposure, and underwater noise. Some strandings can serve as indicators of ocean health, giving insight into larger environmental issues that may also have implications for human health and welfare.
Learn more about the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program
Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events Gervais’ beaked whales have never been part of a declared unusual mortality event. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act , an unusual mortality event is defined as "a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response." To understand the health of marine mammal populations, scientists study unusual mortality events.
Addressing Ocean Noise NOAA Fisheries is investigating all aspects of acoustic communication and hearing in marine animals, as well as the effects of sound on beaked whale behavior and hearing. For example, the use of at least some types of shipboard echosounders decreases the acoustic detection rates of multiple species of beaked whales, indicating that they change their behavior when they hear these echosounders. In 2016, we issued technical guidance for assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal hearing.
Regulatory History Like all marine mammals, Gervais’ beaked whales are protected under the MMPA.
Harvest
See the NOAA wild-caught fishery section for landings and gear notes when published for this species.
Landings and management details matter most for the waters where Gervais' Beaked Whale is actually fished—see the
NOAA species profile
.
