Pilot
whales can sometimes be seen in large numbers both offshore in the
Norwegian Sector and in Øygarden. For more pictures of
mammals (including whales) in Øygarden see this page.
Contrary to my expectations this species does not seem to be
particularly shy and seems to be curious. On several occasions in
September 2015 distant pods appeared to make a bee-line for the vessel
I was working on. They swam
around it as if to investigate before doing
the same thing to a nearby vessel after which they headed on their way.
Other cetacea seen during this time included a species of dolphin and Minke Whale.
Whales are invariably a source of great interest and excitement among
crews of survey
vessels.
