bubblenetting

Bubblenetting is a cooperative foraging technique used by some whales, most notably humpback whales. This behavior involves a group of whales working together to trap prey, typically small fish or crustaceans.1

The process begins with one whale blowing bubbles in a circular pattern around a school of prey. This creates a "net" of bubbles that disorients and concentrates the fish. Other whales in the group then swim upwards through the center of the bubble net with their mouths open, engulfing large quantities of the trapped food. This coordinated effort allows the whales to efficiently capture more food than they could individually.12