So is it ethical to swim with orcas? Yes, but it must be done responsibly, in the wild, with the animals’ welfare prioritised.
In Norway, there have been incidents of local people heading out to see orcas and unintentionally scaring them off by approaching them in the wrong way. There is government guidance for watching and snorkelling with whales – orcas are actually a species of dolphin, but there are also whales in these waters – but it is not always adhered to.
Swimming with these intelligent and beautiful animals, known as the ‘wolves of the sea’ for their ferocity and teamwork when hunting, is a deeply emotional experience for those lucky enough to get the opportunity. But it is also a valuable tool for conservation. It can inspire passion for the protection of the orcas and marine ecosystems, encouraging people to become advocates when they get back home.
Most
killer whale swimming vacations in Norway are accompanied by scientific researchers and other experts, so you gain an understanding of the orcas, while your sightings and photographs form part of vital data collections.
Norway doesn’t hunt orca – just, sadly, minke whales – however, they do face other threats. Large fishing trawlers scour the sea, leaving fewer herring for the orcas and depriving local fishermen of an income. Oil exploration licenses are
still being granted in Arctic waters, with surveys creating disorienting underwater noises that affect the orcas’ sonar. Plus, vast ships
transporting oil off the Norwegian coast risk spillages that can kill swathes of marine wildlife.
The economic benefits of orca tourism might be dwarfed by those of the oil industry, but the voices of environmental defenders can be amplified through nature positive vacations such as swimming with orcas.
