NOAA Researchers Document Unique Humpback Whale Hunting Strategy, Raising Concerns Over Fishing Gear Risks
Scientists from NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary have documented a unique hunting strategy among humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine. By attaching video cameras to the whales, researchers observed them engaging in a collaborative hunting technique on the seafloor. The whales were seen forming a 'star' formation, with their rostrums pointed towards a central location, to round up sand lance fish before simultaneously opening their mouths to capture the prey. This behavior, recorded in 110 seafloor hunting events, is the first of its kind to be documented in humpback whales. However, the researchers, led by David Wiley, express concern that this behavior increases the whales' risk of entanglement in bottom-set fishing gear. 
