Video: Orcas observed off the Landes!

This is not the first time that killer whales have been observed in the Bay of Biscay, but every opportunity to cross paths with these unusual animals is an extraordinary experience. At the start of summer, it is the teams ofOceans Fishing who had this unique chance! And they brought back some exceptional images.

SOn Saturday July 4, 2020, albacore tuna fishing had started well for Kevin Mangault and Pierre Idiart. But after two good catches, several fins emerged on the surface. Dolphins and pilot whales abound in these waters, but this time it's good orcas which crossed 100 kilometers off Capbreton. Asked by the media Our planet, the two fishermen and videographers shared their experience.

“As we left the area we saw ailerons. We thought they were pilot whales common in the area, but when we approached we realized they were orcas. They were rather distant at first. There were five of them. A huge male that we couldn't film who went under the boat once. Then the other 5, two adults who appear to be females and two cubs then approached. We were able to navigate with them for half an hour and thus take these images with the drone we had on board. "

Discover the extraordinary images of this extraordinary meeting.

A permanent presence

The Bay of Biscay and a coastal and pelagic area rich in cetaceans. The marine sub-regions of the Bay of Biscay and the Celtic seas are home to a dozen permanent species, such as harbor porpoise, bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, blue-and-white dolphin, pilot whale, Risso's dolphin, fin whale, minke whale, sperm whale, the pygmy sperm whale, Cuvier's beaked whale, orca, as well as gray seals and sea calves.

Rare encounters

While dolphins and pilot whales are regularly observed off the Aquitaine coast by the Aquitaine Bird Protection League et the Ocean Research & Conservation Association, seeing killer whales in the gulf is much rarer. Mathieu Sannier, member of the LPO-Aquitaine had observed two orcas, a mother and her calf, on October 5, 2019. A few days later, Lilian haristoy, photographer and videographer from Bayonne had immortalized his meeting with a group off Capbreton. In September 2015 and 2016, groups of several dozen individuals were also reported. In 2017, a family of eight killer whales had been observed for several hours, off the Basque coast.