GOLD COAST, AAP - More killer whales may be seen along Australia's east coast as the number of humpback whales - one of their major food sources - making the trek northwards increased, a whale expert said today.
National Parks and Wildlife Service officer Dave Paton said killer whales had been sighted off the New South Wales far north coast for the past three years but there was no specific evidence of an increase in their numbers.
He said that with the 10 to 12 per cent yearly increase in the number of humpback whales migrating north to warmer breeding waters, more killer whales may be seen.
Mr Paton made his comments after witnessing three killer whales attack a pod of three humpbacks he had been trailing about six kilometres east of Byron Bay yesterday.
"There was a large male eight metres long and two smaller killers, either sub-adults or females," he said.
"They came straight at us, made several swift passes at the boat and then circled us several times no more than five metres away.
"It was a pretty intimidating sight.
"The male, with a two metre dorsal fin, was nearly twice the size of the research boat."
He said the killer whales surged at the three humpbacks at about 20 knots.
"In the event there was no bloodshed, but while the attack lasted there was an awesome display of power and violent upheavals," he said.
"The humpbacks, twice the size of the killer whales, closed ranks thrashing the sea into huge water spouts.
"I guess the message was to indicate size and strength."