A marine biologist has warned against swimming with whales, after a video of a surfer in West Iceland paddling alongside a pod of killer whales went viral this week.
The footage, captured on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, features Hungarian chef Jákob Csongor Losonc, who works in Hellnar. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing and has regularly found himself in the company of orcas. He claims to recognise certain whales and believes they recognise him too.
However, whale expert and University of Iceland biology lecturer Edda Elísabet Magnúsdóttir spoke to local media about the risks of such encounters.
“Not part of their world”
“This is of course adventurous, that’s perhaps the main reaction. You talk about whether this is advisable, no, of course it is not at all. These are large wild animals that reign at the top of the marine food chain.”
Although killer whales have never been known to attack humans in the wild, Edda says the ocean is their territory, and that it is important swimmers be aware of the hazards at play.
She noted that humans are “a foreign object in their environment,” and should act accordingly when in the presence of whales. “If you do find yourself in that situation, swim slowly and calmly back to shore.”
While she understands the desire to witness these majestic animals up close, Edda urges people to observe from a safe distance.
