This migration consists almost entirely of large males. Sperm whales seem not to enter the Gulf of St. Lawrence in large numbers. Long-distance movements across the North Atlantic, between southern Nova Scotia and the coast of Spain and between Iceland and the Azores, have been documented. Off British Columbia, mixed and bachelor schools occur seasonally on the old whaling grounds as far north as 50 N, apparently tied to the 15 C surface isotherm. Mixed aggregations of 50-150 sperm whales have been seen there during April, May, and early June.
Bulls are present year-round in deep waters off the British Columbia coast.
Small numbers of sperm whales enter Hecate Strait, Dixon Entrance, Queen Charlotte Sound, and some of the broad waterways of the Inside Passage. The sperm whale is of great commercial interest. Its oil differs from baleen whale oil in that it consists chiefly of waxes rather than fats. Sperm oil's viscosity is less affected by temperature variations than are those of fatty oils, so it is valuable as a lubricant. Spermaceti, a waxy liquid found in the head, has been widely used in the manufacture of certain cosmetics and wax candies.