Lobster fisherman catches killer whales off the Northumberland coast
Last updated 29th Apr 2025
Stunning footage has emerged of killer whales swimming off the sun-kissed Northumberland coast.
Seahouses fisherman Richard Dawson was hauling lobster pots in waters near Beadnell when he had a close encounter with a pod of orcas on Tuesday.
Locals, who are no stranger to seals and dolphins putting on a show, are describing it as "the experience of a lifetime".
A spokesperson for Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours explained that Richard was alerted by a call from another fisherman who excitedly told him: “There’s a pod of orcas heading your way!”
"Naturally," they added, "he stopped everything to watch—and sure enough, they came straight towards his boat.
"One of them swam alongside, dipped under the boat, and resurfaced on the other side before vanishing into the depths.
"He said there was one huge orca and several smaller ones, around eight in total."
WATCH: Click on the link below to view footage of the sighting...
It's thought the killer whales may have travelled from Shetland - attracted by the warmer waters, as the coast enjoyed one of its hottest days of the year so far, and "massive increase of seals".
Reacting to the video, one local joked: "Best not let the dogs go for a swim for a bit!"
Another referenced Steven Spielberg movie Jaws when they said: "I think you might need a bigger boat!"
A third posted: "I only had a chat with one of the lads about the orcas last week and he was saying he hadn't seen them in years, but it's always beginningof May they turn up when they do."
A fourth said: "Saw it from the cliffs at St Abb's Head, thought it was a really big porpoise."
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