Skip to content
All news
  • All news
  • About whales & dolphins
  • Corporates
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Green Whale
  • Prevent bycatch
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Science
  • Scottish Dolphin Centre
  • Stop whaling
  • Stranding
This dead right whale calf had injuries consistent with a vessel strike, including fresh propeller cuts on its back and head, broken ribs, and bruising. Photo: FWC/Tucker Joenz, NOAA Fisheries permit #18786

Emergency Right Whale Petition Seeks Overdue Protections From Vessel Strikes

This dead right whale calf had injuries consistent with a vessel strike, including fresh propeller...
Icelandic hunting vessels in port

Whaling boat kept in port after more hunt cruelty exposed

Icelandic whale hunting fleet One of the whaling boats involved in the latest hunts in...
Commerson's dolphin

New Important Marine Mammal Areas added to global ocean conservation list

Commerson's dolphin Experts from a number of countries have mapped out a new set of...
Fin whale shot with two harpoons

Whalers kill just days after Iceland’s hunt suspension is lifted

Whalers in Iceland have claimed their first victims since the lifting (just a few days...

Researchers spot unusual fish snack feeding by humpback whales

Researchers documenting the behaviour of humpback whales off the coast of Canada have discovered some unique feeding habits being adopted by the whales.

A team from the Marine Education and Research Society in Canada observed the group of humpbacks using a ‘venus fly trap’ method of feeding on unsuspecting young herring off north eastern Vancouver Island.

It is believed that this method of feeding has not been seen used by humpbacks in other locations.

The trap feeding begins with the whale floating at the surface of the water with his or her mouth open and using its pectoral fins to slowly draw water containing the fish inwards.

On average, the whales keep their mouths open 18 seconds but as long as 90 seconds before closing and trapping the fish. The researchers believe that herring are using the huge whales as some form of protection or shelter from the threat of attack by seabirds above, unaware that they are actually entering a trap set by the whales.

Various seabirds circle above looking to dive and pick off the herring, so the fish form large protective groups called bait balls in the hope that they won’t get taken one by one. When the birds start to gather to begin their feeding frenzy, the whales will appear and gobble up these tight schools of fish.

Normally humpbacks use a tactic known as lunge feeding to target larger schools of herring, and so it is thought that this trap feeding might be adopted when there are fewer fish around. Humpback whales feed in the rich waters off Vancouver Island before they head to warmer water in places like Hawaii or Mexico to give birth.

Humpback whales face many threats. Why not help protect them by adopting a humpback today with WDC, or making a donation?