HONOLULU (KHON2) — A discovery made by UH Mānoa marine biology graduate, Cameron Nemeth, highlights the capability of humpback hunting technique called “bubble-net” feeding.
Bubble-net feeding happens when a humpback whale blows bubbles in a circle, traps fish inside, and then eats them.
Nemeth found that out of seven species of baleen whale, only humpbacks can make the super sharp turns needed for this strategy.
Researchers used drones and suction-cup tags to accurately watch how the whales moved. They found that humpback pectoral flippers provide nearly half the force needed to turn.
“The humpback whales’ pectoral flippers enhance their maneuverability,” Nemeth said. “It was shocking to discover that no other species of whale examined were achieving the turning performance required to create a bubble-net.”
This research is relatable to Hawaiʻi because humpbacks tend to fast while they are in the islands. Study shows that they depend on energy stored up from feeding in Alaska.
Learning how they hunt helps scientists know more about their health and survival.
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Nemeth plans to keep studying humpbacks as he works toward a PhD in 2026. He also made history by publishing part of the study in Hawaiian, helping bring science into the Hawaiian language.