The earliest documentation of this feeding behavior was recorded in 1929 from the Norwegian Sea.[1] They speculated that it was playful behavior between the whales and a form of socializing. Change in environmental factors over the years has also been discussed as a possibility behind why this feeding method was created.[5] The most popular theory behind bubble net feeding is one of survival. After being hunted to near extinction it is believed that humpback whales developed this method of feeding so many whales as possible can feed in a short amount of time.[9]