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Bubble-net feeding
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Photo of several whales each with only its head visible above the surface
A group of 15 whales bubble net fishing near Juneau, Alaska
Whale bubble net feeding in Alaska.

Bubble-net feeding is a feeding behavior engaged in by humpback whales[1] and Bryde's whales.[2] It is one of the few surface feeding behaviors that humpback whales are known to engage in.[3] This type of feeding can be done alone or in groups with as many as twenty whales participating at once.[4] Whales can also perform a similar method of surface feeding called "lunge feeding".[3][4]

Humpback whales are migratory and only eat during half of the year.[5] During this feeding season humpback whales actively feed for up to twenty-two hours a day.[4] They do this so they can store enough fat reserves to live through their breeding season when they do not eat at all.[4] Humpback whales typically spend summer months in feeding grounds with cooler waters that they return to every year.[5] They have been documented feeding in areas such as Southeast Alaska and off the coast of Antarctica.[5]

Method

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Humpback whale lunging in the center of a bubble net spiral.

Bubble-net feeding is a cooperative feeding method used by groups of humpback whales. This behavior is not instinctual, it is learned; not every population of humpbacks knows how to bubble net feed.[4] Humpback whales use vocalizations to coordinate and efficiently execute the bubble net so they all can feed.[4] As the group circles a school of small fish such as salmon, krill, or herring, they use a team effort to disorient and corral the fish into a "net" of bubbles.[4] One whale will typically begin to exhale out of their blowhole at the school of fish to begin the process.[4] More whales will then blow bubbles while continuing to circle their prey. The size of the net created can range from three to thirty metres (9.8 to 98.4 ft) in diameter.[6] One whale will sound a feeding call, at which point all whales simultaneously swim upwards with mouths open to feed on the trapped fish.[4] As the whales swim up to the surface to feed they can hold up to 15,000 gallons of sea water in their mouths.[citation needed] Humpback whales have 14 to 35 throat grooves that run from the top of the chin all the way down to the navel.[3] These grooves allow the mouth to expand.[3] When they swallow they stream the water out through their baleen as they ingest the fish.[3] The fish that they ingest are also a source of hydration for them.[3] Bubble netting is an advanced and necessary feeding method developed by humpback whales to feed multiple mouths at one time.

Humpback whales do not always feed in large groups.[5] On their own, they may engage in similar method referred to as lunge feeding.[7] It is similarly executed as the whale dives down beneath a school of fish and rises to the surface with its mouth wide open. Once it reaches the surface it swallows, separates the fish from the saltwater, and expectorates the excess water.

Theories

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There has been some speculation about how fish are trapped in the net of bubbles. One study suggests that it is the acoustics from the exhalations from the whales that traps the fish.[6] It is thought that within the circle it is silent but outside the sounds have such high intensity that it is nearly impossible for fish to escape.[6]

There are also a multitude of theories behind why humpback whales use bubble netting as a feeding method. The earliest documentation of this feeding behavior was recorded in 1929 from the Norwegian Sea.[4] They speculated that it was playful behavior between the whales and a form of socializing. Change in environmental factors over the years has also been discussed as a possibility behind why this feeding method was created.[4] The most popular theory behind bubble net feeding is one of survival. After being hunted to near extinction it is believed that humpback whales developed this method of feeding so as many whales as possible can feed in a short amount of time.[8]

Diet

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Humpback whales have a vertical throat roughly the size of a grapefruit. They cannot physically swallow anything larger than that. They are carnivores and primarily feed on small fish such as krill, juvenile salmon, and herring.[5] They are also baleen whales, which means that they do not have teeth,[9] so they must be able to eat things that they can swallow whole. They have several vertical grooves running down the length of their body so that they can hold large volumes of water and fish at one time. They feed for up to twenty-two hours a day, taking in anywhere from 4,400-5,500 pounds (2.0-2.5 tons) of food per day.[5] The only time they feed is during the summer months; in the winter, they live solely off fat reserves that they have stored.[9] They are not able to feed in warmer waters such as Hawaii or Mexico because there is no adequate habitat for the fish that they consume. Cooler waters, such as those off Southeast Alaska, are teeming with fish, making this a prime feeding ground for humpback whales during their feeding season.[5]

Setting

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Bubble net feeding does not occur everywhere. Alaska's cold waters and the high amounts of sun exposure in the summer time produce food for humpbacks. Areas such as Antarctica and the North Pacific are host to diverse marine ecosystems that provide adequate feeding opportunities for humpback whales.[10] Southeast Alaska, for example, is home to coastal glaciers that provide plentiful nutrients for suitable fish habitats.[10] Areas with warmer waters such as Mexico and Hawaii where whales go to breed do not provide attractive habitats for fish which is why humpback whales rely on their fat reserves they have from their feeding season.[10]

Ecotourism

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Until September 2016 humpback whales had been on the endangered species list since 1970 due to the massive whaling that occurred. The population has recovered due to enforced restrictions on whaling and the promotion of ecotourism. Whale watching companies can profit from taking tourists out to sea so they may observe humpback whale behaviors in their natural habitat, which can help promote conservation. There are strict rules enforced by the Coast Guard to help keep vessels from disrupting the whales’ natural behavior. As a general rule, boats are not allowed to come within three hundred yards (270 m) of marine mammals. If a marine mammal does approach a vessel, it must shut down its engines immediately to prevent affecting the animal's behavior. Bubble net feeding has become a key feature in the tourism industry. It is visually appealing and provides a good opportunity to learn about this species. Unfortunately it is also both a rare and unpredictable behavior. The nutrient rich waters that provide this feeding ground for the whales often do not have good visibility. The only indication of a bubble net occurring that can be sighted on the surface is a ring of bubbles coming up. It is also common to see birds flock to the area where the whales will feed hoping to catch the fish being brought to the surface.

While the population of humpback whales has been successful in making a comeback, there have been some concerns with how tourism has been affecting the whales and their natural environment. Taking people out on the water to view these animals can be disruptive and have a negative impact on their behavior. The increase in human to cetaceans contact has resulted in short term behavior changes, this includes feeding methods. Research is still being done, but one of the potential results from this increase in interactions is having to find food in other habitats. The amount of noise that is emitted from vessels is disruptive to communications between humpbacks and affects their ability to bubble net feed.

References

[edit]
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Bubble-net feeding

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Bubble-net feeding is a specialized foraging technique primarily employed by (Megaptera novaeangliae), in which the whales exhale streams of bubbles underwater to form cylindrical or spiral nets that corral schools of prey such as , , or into a concentrated mass. This behavior, observed in both solitary individuals and coordinated groups, relies on the whales diving beneath the prey aggregation and spiraling upward while releasing air from their blowholes, creating rising bubble curtains that act as a temporary barrier, disorienting the prey and preventing escape to the surface. Once the prey is tightly contained, the whales lunge vertically through the center of the bubble net with mouths agape, engulfing the trapped in a single gulp. The technique is culturally transmitted and learned rather than innate, varying in prevalence across humpback populations, with notable occurrences in regions like and the . Recent biomechanical analyses indicate that bubble-net feeding demands exceptional maneuverability, enabled uniquely by humpback whales' elongated pectoral flippers and body morphology, which allow the tight, high-acceleration turns necessary to manufacture effective bubble structures—capabilities not shared among other species. This foraging strategy exemplifies advanced tool use in marine mammals, as the bubbles function as manufactured barriers to enhance prey capture efficiency.

Mechanism and Technique

Core Process of Bubble Formation and Feeding

Bubble-net feeding begins with one or more humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving beneath an aggregation of prey, typically at depths of 10 to 30 meters, though initiations can occur as shallow as 3 to 5 meters below the surface. The primary bubble-producing whale exhales air through its blowholes while executing a tight upward spiral, releasing a continuous stream of bubbles that form a cylindrical or helical curtain rising toward the surface. This spiral motion, often involving centripetal accelerations up to 0.46 m/s² in solitary feeders, generates an intricate network of bubbles with diameters ranging from small uniform clouds (4-7 meters across from single exhalations) to larger columns (1-1.5 meters diameter) arranged in rings up to 15 meters across. The rising bubbles create a visual and hydrodynamic barrier, as the opaque curtain traps prey by inducing avoidance behavior; fish perceive the bubble wall as an obstacle and congregate in the central cylinder, prevented from escaping laterally or surfacing due to the bubbles' interference with their movement. Bubbles are released in multiple columns of varying sizes, forming nets, curtains, or spirals that aggregate prey density, with acoustic and pressure effects potentially enhancing containment. In group efforts, specialized roles emerge, with bubble blowers maintaining the net while other whales position for the feed, though solitary whales can achieve similar structures through self-orchestrated spirals. Feeding concludes with the whales lunging vertically through the center of the bubble net, mouths agape to engulf the concentrated prey bolus, often breaking the surface in synchronized fashion. This lunge exploits the prey's milling confinement, maximizing intake efficiency; observations confirm whales targeting species like or herded into tight schools by the bubble barrier. The process typically cycles multiple times per bout, with bubble nets comprising about 8% of documented feeding events in historical surveys.

Variations in Bubble-Net Strategies

Humpback employ bubble-net feeding in both solitary and cooperative forms, with the former representing a rarer strategy observed in approximately 2.8% of foraging individuals during surveys from 2019 to 2021 in Alaskan waters. In solitary bubble-net feeding, a single whale exhales bubbles forming 1 to 6 internally tangential rings (mean of 3.1 rings), deployed at depths averaging 22.1 meters over about 80 seconds, creating a mesh with 1.2-meter spacing in the innermost ring to corral diffuse patches like Thysanoessa sp. and Euphausia pacifica. This configuration exploits prey avoidance of bubbles, concentrating them into a smaller area (innermost ring ~37 ) and boosting intake per lunge by roughly sevenfold without elevating energetic costs beyond standard lunges. Cooperative bubble-net feeding, more prevalent in dense prey aggregations such as schools, involves 2 to over 10 coordinating to produce bubble curtains that herd toward the surface for simultaneous lunges. Group size modulates strategy: smaller pairs or triads often execute tighter spirals with divided roles—one whale blowing bubbles while others herd—enhancing prey containment, whereas larger groups (>4 individuals) distribute exertion but may increase individual dive variability and fatigue due to demands. Individual whales exhibit preferences for specific dive types within groups, such as single versus multiple bubble bursts per ascent, influenced by position in the formation; peripheral whales perform more vigorous maneuvers, correlating with higher oxygen consumption in larger assemblages. Some cooperative events feature double bubble-net formations, where whales generate concentric or overlapping rings to reinforce barriers against prey escape, observed in high-density feeding areas like Alaskan fjords during peak summer herring runs. These variations adapt to prey density and depth: solitary tactics suit shallow, scattered , while group strategies target vertically migrating fish schools, with underwater spiraling by a lead creating a vortex that funnels prey upward. Empirical tagging data confirm that bubble-net efficacy rises with complexity in groups, though solitary nets demonstrate comparable tool-like precision in ring calibration to minimize escape gaps.

Physiological and Evolutionary Basis

Adaptations Enabling Bubble-Net Feeding

Humpback whales possess 14 to 35 ventral throat pleats extending from the chin to the , enabling the buccal cavity to expand up to several times its resting volume during lunge feeding, which allows efficient engulfment of prey concentrated by bubble nets. These elastic grooves, combined with a and , facilitate the rapid intake of large water volumes laden with or , followed by expulsion through overlapping plates numbering 300 to 400 on each side, which filter out prey while expelling water. This rorqual-style engulfment capacity is critical for capitalizing on the temporary prey aggregations created by bubble nets, maximizing caloric intake per lunge. The whales' dual blowholes permit controlled exhalation, producing streams of bubbles that rise to form curtain-like barriers or spiral nets, deterring prey from dispersing; this requires precise respiratory modulation during dives, supported by efficient storage in muscles for prolonged submergence up to 10-15 minutes. Humpbacks often emit low-frequency vocalizations, such as "feeding calls," alongside bubbles to further herd prey, leveraging laryngeal adaptations for sound production without surfacing. Morphological traits uniquely equip humpbacks for the tight, circular maneuvers essential to bubble-net construction, including elongated pectoral flippers generating lift forces of approximately 7800 N, which enable centripetal accelerations of 0.46 m s⁻² and superior turning performance compared to other whales. Powerful flukes and pronounced spinal flexibility allow inward banking and sustained rolls during solitary or group spirals, reducing turning radii to corral prey patches that would otherwise be uneconomical for lunge feeding in less agile mysticetes. These features, absent or less developed in congeners like or whales, underpin the of bubble-net feeding as a specialized .

Uniqueness Among Baleen Whales

Bubble-net feeding is a strategy documented exclusively in (Megaptera novaeangliae) among , with no observations of similar coordinated bubble entrapment in other mysticete species such as blue whales or right whales, which primarily rely on lunge or skim feeding. This exclusivity arises from humpback whales' unique morphological adaptations, notably their elongated pectoral flippers, which facilitate tight spiral trajectories and high centripetal accelerations—up to 0.46 m/s² in solitary feeding events—exceeding the hydrodynamic capabilities of other whales based on comparative analyses. A 2025 University of study modeled these maneuvers, concluding that the flippers' leverage and control enable the precise formation required, a feat unattainable by species with shorter, less maneuverable appendages. The behavior's , including learned variants with vocal cues for , further distinguishes it, as acoustic and visual signals to bubble-net execution have not been identified in other whales' repertoires despite extensive observational data from global populations.

Prey Targeting and Efficiency

Targeted Prey Species

Humpback whales employing bubble-net feeding primarily target dense aggregations of small, schooling prey that respond to bubble barriers by aggregating centrally, facilitating efficient capture. Common targets include euphausiid such as Thysanoessa spp. and Euphausia pacifica, which form swarms in regions like where solitary or group feeding occurs. In coastal North Pacific waters, (Clupea pallasii) schools are frequently corralled, as observed in Alaskan fjords where whales create tightening spirals to concentrate these fish before lunging. Other schooling fish exploited via this method encompass juvenile salmon ( spp.) and northern anchovies (), particularly in areas with high prey patchiness; whales synchronize bubble release and ascent to exploit these species' anti-predator responses, delaying jaw expansion until proximate to the school. Prey selection aligns with local abundance, favoring species that panic upward or cluster against bubble walls, as documented in hydrodynamic studies of net formation. This technique's efficacy stems from targeting prey with cohesive schooling , enabling whales to ingest up to 3,000 pounds daily during peak , though exact yields vary by prey density and net geometry. Regional variations highlight adaptability: krill-dominated feeds in or Alaskan krill blooms contrast with herring-focused efforts in temperate herring runs.

Foraging Success and Energy Dynamics

Bubble-net feeding significantly enhances in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) by concentrating prey into a confined area, enabling capture of up to seven times more prey per lunge compared to direct lunges on dispersed patches. This efficiency arises from the bubble net's structure, typically comprising 1–6 concentric rings (mean 3.1), which reduces the effective foraging area by a factor of 7.2 on average, increasing prey density proportionally while minimizing escapement through fine mesh sizes (1.2 m in innermost rings). In solitary executions, whales perform a single lunge per dive after net deployment, contrasting with up to 15 lunges required in non-net feeding scenarios, thereby optimizing intake from low-density or schools at depths of 10–37 m. Group-based bubble-net feeding further amplifies through coordinated corralling, where participants share the effort of encircling prey, potentially yielding higher collective yields in dense aggregations. Energy dynamics favor bubble-net feeding as it incurs no additional expenditure relative to lunge feeding, with lunge speeds averaging 2.1 m/s—60% of those in non-net methods—and deployment speeds at 1.5 m/s, reflecting lower hydrodynamic demands. rates remain comparable (62.9 breaths/hour for net feeders vs. 75.1 for others), indicating sustained aerobic capacity without elevated metabolic costs, even as whales produce 7.3 times more bubbles per minute in inner rings to refine the trap. In larger groups, individual outlay decreases due to reduced movement for prey herding, as roles specialize and distances traveled shorten, enhancing net caloric gain essential for building summer reserves (up to 50% body mass) before migration. This balance underscores bubble-net feeding's adaptive value in exploiting patchy resources, where prey yield (primarily from lipid-rich euphausiids) outweighs the minimal costs of bubble production and maneuvering.

Behavioral and Social Dimensions

Solitary Versus Cooperative Execution

Bubble-net feeding in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) occurs both solitarily and cooperatively, with the execution differing in scale, coordination, and energetic demands. In solitary instances, a single whale dives to approximately 22 meters depth and exhales bubbles in a spiral, forming 1 to 6 internally tangential rings with a mean of 3.1 rings, taking about 80 seconds to construct. The whale then lunges upward through the innermost ring at 2.1 m/s to engulf concentrated prey, such as , with the bubble-net acting as a tool that increases prey density by over sevenfold within the ring's 1.2-meter mesh. Cooperative bubble-net feeding involves groups typically ranging from 2 to over 20 individuals, who synchronize actions using vocalizations to herd prey and maintain the net's structure. One or more whales exhale bubbles to form the net while others circle below to corral schools, culminating in simultaneous lunges through the enclosure; this division allows larger nets and potentially higher prey capture per event, though individual roles remain consistent across group sizes, with less per-whale movement required in larger groups. Solitary execution, observed in only 2.8% of 742 humpback whales surveyed from 2019 to 2021 in , demands exceptional maneuverability enabled by humpback morphology, such as elongated pectoral flippers generating sufficient lift for tight turns exceeding 0.46 m/s² centripetal acceleration—capabilities not matched by other whales. In contrast, cooperative efforts, more prevalent in regions like Pacific and Alaskan waters, facilitate social learning and diffusion of the technique across populations, enhancing group foraging efficiency in dense prey patches. Both forms underscore the learned nature of the , absent in non-practicing populations, with solitary variants highlighting akin to tool use.

Evidence of Learned Behavior and Transmission

Bubble-net feeding exhibits characteristics of a culturally transmitted behavior among humpback whales, acquired through social learning rather than innate instinct, as evidenced by its uneven distribution across populations lacking corresponding . Observations in , where the technique is prevalent, contrast with its rarity elsewhere, such as in the Gulf of Maine or until 2020 in Australian waters, indicating propagation via behavioral imitation within matrilineal or social groups rather than universal . Empirical studies document calves developing proficiency by observing and mimicking adult performers, often mothers during episodes, with longitudinal tracking revealing that juveniles initially participate peripherally before executing independent nets. For instance, acoustic and visual data from Alaskan pods show coordinated vocal cues—such as feeding calls—facilitating synchronized bubble release, a skill refined through repeated group interactions rather than solitary trial-and-error. Transmission extends beyond parent-offspring pairs, as non-maternal adults in groups demonstrate the to unrelated calves, supporting models of akin to those observed in humpback song propagation. Experimental simulations and prey capture efficiency metrics further corroborate that naive whales achieve higher success rates when exposed to demonstrated sequences, underscoring the adaptive value of in optimizing energy intake during seasonal migrations.

Geographic and Temporal Patterns

Primary Locations and Habitats

Bubble-net feeding by humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) is predominantly documented in the summer feeding grounds of the North Pacific population, with serving as a primary hotspot. Observations cluster in coastal regions such as Frederick Sound, Chatham Strait, and areas near Sitka and Juneau, where whales exploit seasonal prey concentrations from late spring through early fall. This behavior has also been noted sporadically in other North Pacific sites like the and near Seward, but accounts for the majority of recorded cooperative and solitary variants. The requisite habitats feature cold, productive temperate to marine environments with water temperatures typically ranging from 8–12°C, supporting dense patches of euphausiids () or schooling fish like (Clupea pallasii). These areas often include fjords, straits, and sheltered bays with moderate depths (50–200 meters) that allow for vertical prey aggregation and bubble curtain formation without rapid dissipation. Upwelling-driven and tidal mixing enhance prey availability, creating predictable opportunities in nearshore zones. Such conditions are less prevalent in breeding grounds or open ocean, limiting bubble-net feeding to high-latitude summer ranges.

Seasonal and Environmental Triggers

Bubble-net feeding primarily occurs during the summer months in high-latitude feeding grounds, such as Alaskan waters and the , aligning with humpback whales' annual migration northward from winter breeding areas in tropical regions. This seasonal window, typically spanning May to September for North Pacific populations, coincides with peak prey availability driven by extended daylight and enhanced blooms that support and proliferation. During this period, whales engage in intensive foraging, consuming up to 1,500 kilograms of prey daily to replenish reserves depleted during fasting migrations and breeding. Key environmental triggers include dense aggregations of schooling prey, such as (Clupea pallasii) or euphausiid , which form in response to oceanographic features like zones, tidal fronts, and areas of high chlorophyll-a concentration exceeding 5 mg/m³. These conditions concentrate nutrients, fostering prey patches suitable for bubble-netting, where whales detect and target schools via echolocation or visual cues, deploying the technique to corral evasive fish against the surface. Humpback whales adjust bubble-net deployment depth and configuration based on prey depth, stratification, and local currents, optimizing for densities where standard lunge feeding yields lower efficiency. Interannual variability in bubble-net frequency reflects fluctuating environmental drivers, including sea surface temperatures and prey condition; for example, cooler, nutrient-enriched years promote tighter prey schools, eliciting more frequent cooperative bouts, whereas warmer anomalies dispersing schools reduce observations. Acoustic monitoring in has documented heightened activity during periods of stable stratification and moderate tidal flows, which maintain prey accessibility near the surface.

Scientific Research and Theories

Historical Discovery and Early Observations

The earliest documented observation of bubble-net feeding occurred in 1929, when Norwegian whaler A. Ingebrigtsen reported humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the near Bear Island employing a circular bubble-releasing technique to capture shoals, describing how the whales swam in tightening spirals while exhaling air to form a rising "wall" or "net" of bubbles that confined prey near the surface. Ingebrigtsen noted two primary methods used by the whales, with the bubble net serving to trap crustaceans by creating an underwater barrier that forced prey upward, though he did not explicitly frame it as cooperative foraging at the time. Systematic scientific study of the behavior emerged in the 1970s through observations in , where researchers Charles and Jurasz documented "bubble-netting" during field work beginning in 1974 near Shelter Island, identifying it as a coordinated feeding strategy involving groups of up to 14 humpback that exhaled bubbles in expanding spirals to corral or other schooling fish into dense balls for efficient lunging. Their 1979 publication detailed the sequence: a lead initiates vocalizations and bubble columns, followed by others spiraling downward to 15-30 meters while releasing air, forming a net with diameters of 10-30 meters that surfaced as a visible ring, prompting synchronized breaches through the trapped prey. These Alaskan observations, conducted via boat-based monitoring, revealed variations including single-revolution and multi-revolution nets, contrasting with earlier anecdotal reports and establishing bubble-net feeding as a learned, socially transmitted technique unique to humpbacks among baleen . Subsequent early studies in the early 1980s, such as those by Hain et al. in the western North Atlantic, expanded on Jurasz's findings by confirming bubble nets in different prey contexts like euphausiids, with shipboard surveys in May 1980 documenting nets formed by 1.5 to 2 complete revolutions and emphasizing the role of vocalizations in coordination. These observations highlighted regional adaptations, with Alaskan humpbacks favoring herring-focused nets, while Atlantic populations showed more solitary or variant forms, underscoring the behavior's prevalence during summer feeding migrations but rarity in tropical breeding grounds.

Acoustic and Hydrodynamic Explanations

Hydrodynamic explanations for bubble-net feeding emphasize the physical properties of the rising bubble curtain in corralling prey. The exhaled bubbles, typically 1-5 cm in diameter and released in a spiral , form a cylindrical barrier approximately 10-30 meters in diameter and up to 20 meters deep, generating turbulent flows and pressure gradients that deter from crossing outward. This containment is enhanced by the buoyancy-driven ascent of bubbles at rates of 1-2 m/s, creating a semi-permeable where tightly in the low-turbulence core to avoid the outer bubble-induced shear. models demonstrate that under typical ocean currents (0.1-0.5 m/s), the net maintains coherence for 10-30 seconds, sufficient for a lunge-feed, with bubble volume fractions of 0.01-0.05% producing the necessary . In solitary , this mechanism allows a single to manufacture the net as a temporary tool, increasing prey by factors of 2-5 times within the corral. Acoustic explanations propose that bubble nets amplify or trap underwater sounds to enhance herding. Humpback whales emit calls (broadband pulses at 100-500 Hz, up to 160 dB re 1 μPa) during bubble release, which propagate through the bubbly medium with reduced due to the net acting as a cylindrical . Leighton et al. (2004) hypothesized that the spiral geometry focuses these calls into a creating radial intensity gradients (up to 20-30 dB higher in the core) that startle , eliciting avoidance behaviors and concentrating schools centrally; like respond to such low-frequency pulses by milling or fleeing, transforming escape instincts into entrapment. Finite element simulations of sound propagation in bubble nets confirm enhanced within the spiral, with bubble at 200-300 Hz matching feeding call frequencies, potentially disorienting prey over the 5-10 second net formation phase. Acoustic tags (DTAGs) deployed on feeding humpbacks record synchronized vocalizations with bubble exhalations, supporting coordination but leaving the prey-trapping effect as a requiring further empirical validation via prey . These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive; hydrodynamic barriers may primarily contain prey visually and via flow, while acoustics provide a secondary sensory deterrent, with models indicating synergistic effects in prey density amplification. Observations from (2008-2010) link both to higher capture efficiencies in krill and schools, though direct causation remains inferred from indirect measures like net persistence and whale lunges.

Recent Empirical Findings

A 2024 empirical study in utilized animal-borne tags and unoccupied aerial systems to analyze 83 solitary bubble-nets produced by 23 humpback whales, revealing that these structures typically feature 1 to 6 concentric rings with a mean of 3.1 rings and an innermost ring area of 37.0 m², resulting in a greater than sevenfold increase in prey density from outer to inner rings. This concentration mechanism enhances efficiency for low-density prey patches without elevating energetic costs, as lunge speeds averaged 2.1 m/s and breath rates 62.9 per hour during feeding events. Such solitary bubble-netting was rare, observed in only 2.8% of 742 whales surveyed from 2019 to 2021. In August 2025, a comparative analysis of turning performance across seven species, drawing on suction-cup tag and drone data from 28 organizations, determined that humpback whales alone can execute the high-maneuverability spirals essential for bubble-net feeding due to their elongated pectoral flippers, which generate nearly 50% of the required turning force. Solitary bubble-net feeding humpbacks achieved centripetal accelerations of 0.46 m/s², surpassing the upper physiological limits of other species without excessive energy demands, underscoring a unique morphological adaptation for this behavior. Research published in 2024 documented a novel bubble-net foraging strategy among Western Antarctic humpback whales, present in every study year with an average prevalence of 30% in sightings and 19% of lunges, frequently associated with larger group sizes, suggesting an adaptive response to regional environmental conditions and prey availability.

Ecological Role and Human Interactions

Contributions to Humpback Population Health

Bubble-net feeding enhances the efficiency of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) by creating bubble curtains that corral prey such as and small fish into concentrated patches, facilitating the capture of larger prey volumes during lunge ascents. This technique allows individual whales to achieve up to seven times more prey per gulp compared to non-tool-assisted lunges, conserving energy by reducing the number of dives required. Measurements of breath rates, swimming kinematics, and lunge dynamics in solitary bubble-net feeders demonstrate that the increased prey density does not elevate energetic costs beyond standard lunge feeding, yielding a net positive energy balance. The caloric surplus from this behavior supports the accumulation of reserves essential for humpback whales, which endure extended periods during migration and breeding. Nutritional adequacy during summer directly influences body condition, with deficiencies historically linked to reduced calving rates and declines in the mid-20th century due to prey shortages and pressures. By optimizing energy intake, bubble-net feeding contributes to improved , enhancing calf viability and overall , which bolsters recovery observed since international protections in the and . In regions with prevalent bubble-net activity, such as , this strategy's prevalence correlates with sustained individual fitness, as evidenced by stable or increasing segments amid variable prey availability. While direct causation between bubble-net adoption and broad metrics remains under study, the technique's role in mitigating inefficiencies underscores its adaptive value for long-term demographic health in a species dependent on high-lipid prey aggregation.

Impacts from Anthropogenic Disturbances

Underwater noise from commercial shipping has been shown to disrupt behaviors, including bubble-net feeding, by altering dive patterns and reducing feeding efficiency. In a study off the coast of , increasing ship noise levels correlated with slower descent rates during dives and fewer side-roll feeding events, which are key components of coordinated bubble-net strategies; in 5 out of 18 focal groups, whales ceased observable feeding altogether during high-noise conditions. These acoustic disturbances mask the whales' vocalizations used for coordination in group bubble-net feeding and may elevate stress responses, potentially leading to reduced energy intake during critical periods. Vessel traffic, including whale-watching boats and cargo ships, further exacerbates these impacts by altering movement and behavior in feeding grounds. in Alaska's Frederick Sound indicated that proximity to vessels increased swim speeds, respiration rates, and path directness while decreasing dive durations, suggesting a shift away from energy-intensive bubble-net maneuvers toward avoidance or less effective . In heavily trafficked areas like the , overlapping shipping routes with prime bubble-net sites heighten risks of vessel strikes, particularly for juveniles engaging in surface-oriented feeding, contributing to elevated mortality rates documented in strandings since 2016. Climate-driven changes in prey distribution pose longer-term threats to bubble-net feeding viability. Projections for humpback populations indicate that warming oceans could reduce abundance—a primary target of bubble-net corralling—by up to 20-30% in key feeding grounds by mid-century, forcing whales to expend more energy on alternative prey or suboptimal sites. In northern populations, such as those off , shifts in euphausiid (krill-like) aggregations due to loss have already correlated with expanded foraging ranges, potentially diluting the density of prey patches needed for efficient bubble-net formation. Fisheries and gear entanglement add direct physical impairments, with documented cases of humpbacks sustaining injuries that hinder bubble-net participation, as observed in necropsy data from entangled individuals showing compromised lunging ability.

Ecotourism Effects and Management

Whale-watching tourism in , a key habitat for bubble-net feeding, has expanded significantly, with vessel numbers tripling between 2000 and 2018, attracting crowds to observe this cooperative behavior. Vessel presence prompts short-term behavioral changes in humpback whales, including 38.9% greater path deviation, 6.2% higher swimming speeds, and 6.7% shorter inter-breath intervals, alongside elevated respiration rates with prolonged exposure. Feeding individuals typically sustain their activity states amid vessels, yet bubble-net groups frequently draw up to 30 boats, raising concerns for disruption of synchronized prey and lunging due to the technique's reliance on precise coordination. These responses may impose energetic costs, potentially compounding during intensive summer feeding when whales consume up to 1,500 kg of prey daily to build fat reserves. The near-absence of in Juneau during 2020, owing to restrictions, enabled baseline observations of undisturbed whales, contrasting with typical vessel-induced adaptations like accelerated breathing and erratic paths; ongoing analyses of via biopsies further quantify subtle physiological burdens under normal loads. While humpbacks exhibit some , cumulative effects from high vessel density in feeding grounds could impair efficiency and long-term , though direct cessation of bubble-net cycles remains undocumented. Federal regulations enforced by NOAA since 2003 mandate a minimum 100-yard (91-meter) approach distance to humpback whales across , prohibiting faster vessel approaches or blocking paths, with violations incurring fines up to $125,000. In Glacier Bay National Park, where bubble-net feeding occurs seasonally, supplementary controls limit daily vessel entries to 158 and enforce lanes to curb . Voluntary initiatives, such as the Whale SENSE program, train operators to idle engines near surfacing whales, yield right-of-way during feeding lunges, and cap group approaches, fostering self-regulation amid the industry's $2.1 billion annual economic value to . These measures prioritize sustaining bubble-net feeding as an indicator of while accommodating observation, with periodic efficacy assessments recommended to address evolving pressures.

References

  1. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.240328
  2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11336686/
  3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233665930_Underwater_components_of_humpback_whale_bubble-net_feeding
  4. https://www.npr.org/2024/09/06/nx-s1-5087900/humpback-whales-krill-bubble-net-feeding
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