Orcas Steal Alaskan Halibut Fisherman's Catches

A pod of orcas chased a fisherman on their boat in Anchorage, Alaska, in April 2016.

Longtime fisherman and FV Oracle Captain Robert Hanson was out fishing for halibut and black cod with his crew when they encountered the group of killer whales. Hanson stated that orcas have become a problem in recent years because they seem to target the fishermen’s lines. Mother orcas appear to teach juvenile whales to hunt for halibut and black cod the fishermen are trying to catch, according to Hanson.

A fishing boat can harvest 20,000 to 30,000 pounds of halibut in one day and nothing the next day if the killer whales recognize their boat.

Hanson has worked in the Bering Sea since 1992 and told the Alaska Dispatch orcas have become a problem in recent years. He also said there are more pods present and becoming more aggressive. Credit: Robert Hanson via Storyful