It is rare to spot this species along the Belgian coast as it normally lives in deep waters. However, cases of strandings of beaked whales have increased in recent years.
“On Monday, we went on a family trip in my boat off De Panne. Suddenly we saw quite a large dolphin-like animal approaching the boat,” Floris told Het Laatste Nieuws.
Beaked whales are found all over the world but always in deep waters. They are the mammals that dive the longest and deepest. They are thus able to stay longer under water than the sperm whale and to dive up to 2,000 meters deep.
“Their echolocation system is adapted to this. They are able to swim in deep water, but not in shallow water. This is why they have no place in the North Sea,” explains Jan Haelters, marine biologist at the IRNSB.
These very large marine animals have however been seen more often in our region in recent years. Jan Haelters even speaks of a “peak”. The exact reason for this phenomenon is not known but there are several possible causes.
“Cases of massive strandings have clearly been linked to human activities causing significant underwater noise pollution. They are then disoriented and can suffer physical damage,” says Haelters.
It is also unclear whether it is an isolated individual or several. In any case, these animals have very little chance of surviving in our waters. In many cases, beaked whales wash up on the beach and die because they often haven’t eaten for several weeks. They therefore arrive very weak.