The Strait of Gibraltar, the busy waterway between southern Spain and northern Morocco, is well known for its rich marine biodiversity. But in recent years, the Strait has been making headlines for something rather unexpected: orcas ramming boats! These powerful and highly intelligent predators have been engaging in a series of surprising interactions with yachts and pleasure craft — and experts are still working to understand why.
The latest incident occurred in May 2024, when a pod of orcas, also called killer whales, rammed the hull of a sailing yacht, causing water to seep into the vessel. A passing oil tanker rescued the two people on board, but the damaged yacht was left adrift and eventually sank.
Since May 2020, nearly 700 orca attacks on boats have been reported around the Iberian Peninsula, raising concern among marine experts and sailors.
These incidents often involve orcas ramming or biting rudders and hulls, sometimes with enough force to require tows back to port. However, not all interactions have resulted in vessel damage. Although the attacks seem coordinated – involving several orcas working together – researchers caution against concluding that the behaviour is inherently aggressive.
So What Explains This Unusual Orca Behaviour?
There are several theories behind the phenomenon, each shedding light on orca psychology and the changing ocean environment:
Curiosity and Play: Orcas are extremely intelligent and often interact with new objects in their environment. Boats — especially those with moving parts like rudders and propellers — may simply intrigue them. One cetacean expert suggested that the attacks seem likely to be a bunch of bored teenage orcas looking for something to do! Essentially, the juveniles started a fad of playing with boat rudders and interacting with vessels simply for fun, not out of aggression.
Mimicry and Social Learning: Living in family groups called pods, orcas use unique vocal patterns and social structures. Young orcas may just be copying the behaviour of older individuals, creating a learned group activity that is passed through the pod.
Environmental Factors: Changes in the marine ecosystem may be affecting orca behaviour. Iberian killer whales’ primary prey is Bluefin tuna. In the past, overfishing of Bluefin tuna had led to its decline, but better protection has helped the tuna population recover in recent years. Climate change may also play a role, causing tuna to be abundant in the Gulf of Cádiz throughout the year, rather than just seasonally. It would appear that whales no longer need to pursue every fish encountered, and with time to spare, they begin playing with rudders!
Negative Past Experiences: Some experts speculate that earlier encounters with fishing gear or vessels may have led to aggressive behaviour toward boats as a perceived threat.
Safety Tips for Boaters
If you’re planning to sail in or near the Strait of Gibraltar, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Keep your distance: Don’t approach orcas — give them space to move freely. Take extra care when sailing through the Strait between April and August, when killer whale activity is at its peak.
- Avoid sudden movements: Sudden changes in direction or noise can provoke interest or stress for orcas.
- Report sightings or incidents: If you encounter orcas or experience an interaction, notify local marine authorities. This helps researchers track and study the phenomenon.
What Marine Experts Are Doing
Marine biologists and conservationists are closely monitoring orca behaviour in the region. Through tracking, video analysis, and community reports, they’re working to understand the motivation behind these boat interactions. The goal? To ensure both human safety and orca conservation.
Final Thoughts: Coexisting with Orcas
The orca encounters in the Strait of Gibraltar serve as a striking reminder of the complex relationship between human activity and the natural world. While these incidents may seem alarming, they also present a valuable opportunity to better understand animal behaviour, the effects of environmental change and the impact of human presence on marine ecosystems.
Last Updated on April 11, 2025 by Vanessa Kingwell