Fishing Couple Not On Menu

Sunday, August 15, 2004
NEW ZEALAND - Amazement from a whale specialist at news a fisherman and his wife have been tipped from their boat by a pod of orca.

The couple say the incident happened at Pahi in the Kaipara Harbour yesterday afternoon, as they tried to retrieve a fishing net.

Orca specialist Dr Ingrid Visser says it is incredibly unlikely the orca were trying to attack the couple as humans don't feature in their diet.

She says if anything it may have been a mistake on the part of the orca.

Dr Visser says New Zealand has one of the highest rates for injuring whales through boat strikes.

She says the couple had most likely come between the whales and their lunch.

She says it is possible something in the couple's net may have got them excited.