Orcas in the Mediterranean: Attack on sailing ship – why do whales do that?

A relaxing boat trip turned into a horror trip for a Spanish family in just a few moments: several orcas harassed their sailing ship and ripped off a piece of their rudder blade.

“I don't know if these whales were really just playing or whatever, but when you are attacked by a beast that is eight meters long and weighs several tons and can sink its teeth into aluminum, you get scared,” the boat owner told the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

We often read about incidents involving killer whales. Researchers refer to these as “interactions”. They assume that the whales do not have aggressive intentions.

Possible reasons for orca attacks

Although Orcas live all over the world, so far only animals in the Iberian region have shown an “interaction”: of the 34 animals registered there, 16 came into contact with boats.

Biologist Alfredo López from the organization “GT Atlantic Orca“ (GTAO) has two theories for this: Either the highly intelligent animals have invented something new or they are reacting to a negative experience, such as getting caught in a fishing net or colliding with a boat.

Boredom could also play a role. In a current study It is said that orcas attack boats because fishing bans mean they have less time to search for food. This gives them more “free time” and “played” with the ships.

On June 23, 2023, three orcas attack the yacht of the Dutch team in the “Ocean Race” in the Strait of Gibraltar. They hit the oars and eventually let go of the boat; no one is injured
Photo: -/dpa

But there is also good news

According to the GTAO, there were 84 interactions off the coast of Spain and Portugal this year. Six boats had to be towed.

Most encounters are recorded in the Strait of Gibraltar. The area between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic is Orcas popular because there is a lot of tuna there.

According to experts, the animals should not be demonized. According to López, headlines such as “Orca Revolt” distort reality. The animals are increasingly being subjected to hatred. Videos even show distress rockets being used Orcas are shot.

► Captains should be better informed, choose alternative routes, not sail at night and not stray too far from the coast.

It looks like the problem will go away on its own: López: “Compared to 2023, the number of interactions this year is decreasing.”