Domenic Biagini

An Eastern Tropical Pacific killer whale explodes out of the water from our stern wake! This pod of ETPs has developed a unique habit known as “stern wake riding,” where they actively seek out boats moving at a moderate speed just to surf the waves. It’s a learned behavior shared within this specific group, and not something all orcas do. For 99% of orca interactions in California, it’s much better to stay off to the side of the pod at a slow speed and a bit of a distance…but this group actually goes out of its way to target boats that are already moving at higher speeds in order the play in the waves. Our boat did not run on top of them to create this interaction, rather the second they saw us moving away they bolted for our stern! The safest thing to do for the orcas(and for us), is to not do something unpredictable like changing course or speed until the orcas have had their fun and move on. This moment inspired a deeper dive on my YouTube channel of this behavior and more, where I explore how orcas across the world have different cultures, behaviors, and even short-lived fads. I connect this to the now infamous orca/sailboat/rudder interactions off Spain’s coast, and explain why those events aren’t “attacks,” but part of a passing behavioral trend within one distinct orca population. I also touch on the harm caused by sensational headlines used in news stories about Killer Whales, and why language matters when it comes to protecting these animals. Watch the full video now on my YouTube!
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