Killer whales in Strait of Gibraltar (1 Viewer)

[JTweedie]

There have been new media stories recently of Killer Whales attacking small boats near Gibraltar, southern Spain and Portugal. These stories are following up on last year's stories.

So what's the likelihood of this happening if you're out on a whale-watching trip? How often is it happening and what size of boats are they attacking? Or is it a made-up story?

 

[Farnboro John]

There have been new media stories recently of Killer Whales attacking small boats near Gibraltar, southern Spain and Portugal. These stories are following up on last year's stories.

So what's the likelihood of this happening if you're out on a whale-watching trip? How often is it happening and what size of boats are they attacking? Or is it a made-up story?

It's not a made-up story and the latest I've seen on it suggests it is being led by a particular old female Orca that seems to have a grudge, perhaps due to trauma with nets or collision years before. The trouble is younger Orcas are copying! The victims seem to be yachts mostly but maybe fishing boats as well?

I don't know about the chances on a whale-watching trip. Are you concerned about safety or looking forward to an amazing experience?

John

 

[JTweedie]

I was thinking of booking a trip to Gibraltar next year to watch migration from the rock and one of the days is out on a boat. I love going out whale-watching but wondering if this'll be a closer encounter than is comfortable!

 

[Mono]

Why are killer whales attacking boats? Expert Q&A

Orcas appear to be imitating the behaviour of one in particular by damaging sailboat rudders.

theconversation.com

 

[Ernest Garcia]

I was thinking of booking a trip to Gibraltar next year to watch migration from the rock and one of the days is out on a boat. I love going out whale-watching but wondering if this'll be a closer encounter than is comfortable!

I understand that the Orcas take objection to sailing yachts not the launches and catamarans used by whale watchers. The orcas quite seldom come near Gibraltar itself but instead haunt the tarifa area, where the tuna nets are.

 

[JTweedie]

Killer whales now also attacking boats around Shetland.

Orca rams into yacht off Shetland in first such incident in northern waters

Cetacean exhibits same behaviour towards vessel in North Sea that has been seen in Iberian orca population

www.theguardian.com