A orca and fishing boats in the Strait of Gibraltar – Lisa Collins/robertharding/Alamy
Overview
There have been several reports of orcas attacking sailing boats in the Strait of Gibraltar, and the incidents continue to occur. On October 31st, a pod of orcas surrounded a sailboat off the coast of Morocco, damaging the boat before it ultimately sank near a port. This wave of attacks has raised speculation about why the orcas are engaging in such behavior.
Location
The attacks are taking place in the Strait of Gibraltar, which is a strip of sea separating the southern tip of Europe from northern Africa. The orcas in this area have been ramming boats and damaging rudders, causing some boats to sink and others to sustain significant damage. Videos and reports of these encounters have become popular on the internet.
Timeline
The encounters between orcas and boats in the Strait of Gibraltar have been happening for some time. Unusual encounters were first reported in May 2020, and since then, there have been a total of 207 reported interactions. While many interactions were harmless, at least four ships have sunk this year. Interestingly, these incidents seem to escalate in May, coinciding with the migration of the pod’s favorite food, bluefin tuna.
Methods of Attack
The orcas typically target sailboats, showing less interest in motorized vessels. They approach the boats, focusing on the rudders, which they damage with their teeth. They have also been observed pressing into sailboats and occasionally tearing holes in the hull. However, not all encounters result in damage to the boats, with some orcas simply riding in the boat’s wake.
Number of Orcas Involved
These encounters usually involve only a few whales from a pod of around 39. Currently, about 15 orcas are participating in the boat-ramming activity. Researchers believe that the behavior may have originated from one individual and then spread within the pod. It is unlikely to spread to other orca populations due to the distinctiveness of this North Atlantic subpopulation.
Possible Reasons for the Attacks
There is speculation about the motives behind these attacks. Some have suggested that the orcas may be seeking revenge, particularly focusing on a particular orca named White Gladis. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory. Other experts believe that the orcas are simply having fun or seeking tactile stimulation. Until researchers can determine the true motivation, it will be difficult to find a solution to abate the attacks.
Conclusion
The ongoing encounters between orcas and boats in the Strait of Gibraltar continue to pose a challenge. Understanding the reasons behind these attacks is crucial to finding effective solutions that protect both humans and orcas. Blaming the whales without sufficient evidence is not productive, and further scientific investigation is necessary to unravel the mysteries surrounding this behavior.
