Predator’s fish buffet

THEY may be recognised as one of the most effective marine predators, but new research shows killer whales are increasingly taking their meals buffet-style. A Deakin University study suggests the killers are more likely to dine out on fishery longlines in 2018 compared with 2003, a sign that changes to prey availability caused by human activities have led to rapid innovations by this top marine predator.

“The findings highlight the relatively short time it takes for killer whales within populations to respond to new feeding opportunities,” it read.