Whales losing killer instinct: marine giants have discovered take-away meals

By Bridie Smith
Updated February 20 2017 - 11:08am, first published January 3 2017 - 11:50pm
A whale shadowing a commercial fishing vessel off the Kerguelen and Crozet sub-Antarctic islands.  Photo: Paul Tixier
A whale shadowing a commercial fishing vessel off the Kerguelen and Crozet sub-Antarctic islands. Photo: Paul Tixier
Deakin University researchers John Arnould and Paul Tixier have found killer and sperm whales have learnt to suck fish off fishing lines, potentially making fishing quotas inaccurate.  Photo: Penny Stephens
Deakin University researchers John Arnould and Paul Tixier have found killer and sperm whales have learnt to suck fish off fishing lines, potentially making fishing quotas inaccurate. Photo: Penny Stephens
A killer whale making a dash for it after taking Patagonian toothfish from a commercial fishing line.  Photo: Paul Tixier
A killer whale making a dash for it after taking Patagonian toothfish from a commercial fishing line. Photo: Paul Tixier

Opportunistic whales have forced researchers to reconsider whether long-line fishing in Australia's southern waters is as eco-friendly as first thought.

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