Rescues, dives and a ‘landscape of fear’ — here are 2024’s top world ocean stories
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
The world’s oceans are filled with mysterious giants, some rarely ever seen. This year, researchers discovered new animal behaviors, uncovered surprising hunting techniques and helped in daring marine rescues.
Take a look at some of the top world ocean stories from 2024:
15-foot sea creature stranded on sandbar as river rafters rush to help, video shows
River rafters in Nova Scotia, Canada, encountered a 15-foot minke whale stranded on a sandbar in the Shubenacadie River. The rafters, working with local boating companies, kept the whale cool by splashing water on it until the tide rose, allowing the whale to swim away. The whale was later seen swimming towards the Bay of Fundy, and no further sightings were reported. | Published June 11 | Read More |
Massive creatures hunting sharks off Mexico create a ‘landscape of fear,’ study says
For the first time, killer whales have been observed hunting sharks in Cabo Pulmo National Park, Mexico, creating a “landscape of fear” that could alter the park’s ecology. Between 2022 and 2023, three instances of orcas hunting sharks were recorded, leading to the disappearance of large shark groups from the area. This behavior, documented through drones, suggests that orcas might be causing a significant displacement of sharks, which are vital to the park’s biodiversity and tourism. | Published June 18 | Read More |
‘Rare’ sea creatures with ‘remarkable’ diving abilities seen off Antarctica, study says
An international team of researchers discovered several Arnoux’s beaked whales, known for their “remarkable” diving abilities, off the coast of Antarctica. These rare whales, which can grow up to 30 feet long, were observed during a 2022 expedition in the Weddell Sea. The sightings suggest these whales have a “year-round circum-Antarctic distribution” and are typically found in shallow, icy areas. | Published Aug. 29 | Read More |
Massive sea creature seen using ‘unusual hunting technique’ off Canada, photos show
Conservationists and guests aboard a cruise ship off the eastern coast of Canada witnessed a humpback whale using an “unusual hunting technique” known as trap feeding. This technique involves the whale chasing fish toward the rocky shoreline and then holding its mouth open to catch the fish as they jump in. This behavior, first recorded in 2011, is thought to be a culturally transmitted foraging innovation among whales in the area. | Published Sept. 5 | Read More |
McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of unusual behaviors and rare sightings in the world’s oceans. Check back for the latest stories.
This story was originally published December 31, 2024 at 11:43 AM with the headline "Rescues, dives and a ‘landscape of fear’ — here are 2024’s top world ocean stories."