Killer Whales Spotted Off Helmsdale

Friday, May 25, 2007
HELMSDALE, SCOTLAND - For keen Brora fisherman Andrew Kaspis, it was one of those magic experiences which he had hoped for years would eventually come his way.

He and his partner Sybil Sutherland were peacefully fishing in their 19ft dingy Olwen off Berriedale last Sunday when a majestic black fin suddenly arose from the waves close by.

It was followed by still more glossy fins and a thrilled Andrew and Sybil, who had thought at first that it was a shark, worked out from the shape of the fins that they were in the presence of a pod of orcas.

Also known as the killer whale, the distinctive black and white orca is the largest species of the oceanic dolphin family and is found in all the world's oceans.

Andrew, an engineer at Dounreay who fishes for cod, mackerel, ling and pollock in his spare time, said: "I have always hoped I would see something like this. It was just fascinating and made my year."

The couple turned their boat around and followed the orcas as they headed south towards Helmsdale.

"We stayed quite a distance away initially, some three to four hundred metres, but then we just got closer and closer until we were virtually right next to them," said Andrew.

"At one stage they came within two to three metres of the boat and gave us quite a fright, although I know they are not interested in chasing humans. We had the digital camera with us and kept clicking away.

"We must have taken around 100 shots and got nothing but splashes, but then we eventually got two or three shots of them."

He added: "It was hard to count how many there were because they kept popping up to breathe at different times, but we reckoned there were probably six to eight."

Andrew and Sybil followed the orcas, who remained close to the cliffs, for two to three miles before the pod turned and headed towards Morayshire.

Andrew said: "Apparently there have been numerous sightings of orca around the coast recently. I'm delighted to have been so close to them."

Source: The Northern Times