Massive pod of killer whales sighted off Scotland
October 16, 2009
Finally, some GOOD news about the environment.
The BBC reports that, for the first time, a massive pod of up to 50 killer whales has been filmed off the coast of Scotland.
Evidently, the beautiful creatures dropped by to feed off of mackerel escaping fishing nets. They also eat scraps thrown back into the water by the fishing crews.
Killer whales are actually members of the dolphin family, and are known for their intelligence.
Scientists first documented this behavior in the 1980s and fishermen in Scotland have seen the behavior develop since.
“They are pretty quick to cotton on, and it’s something they are doing all around the world where there is a big fishery,” says Mr Andy Foote of the University of Aberdeen, a marine scientist advising the BBC Autumnwatch team.
“But what’s great about this one, is they aren’t viewed as a pest, they are just going after mackerel that are stuck in the nets or escaping and they don’t take any of the fishermen’s catch,” he says.
“They don’t damage the nets or get stuck in the nets, there is a benefit for both parties and the fishermen are really fond of the killer whales.”
So maybe, just maybe, the orcas and the fishermen can work as a team? And some human behavior can actually work out for the benefit of the creatures of the sea?
Entry Filed under: Cool Stuff, Get Involved with the Environment, Health and Environment, Science and Research. Tags: animal research, BBC, Health and Environment, killer whale pod, Scotland.
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