Orcas Attack Sailing Yacht in Moroccan Waters

A sailing yacht was sunk by a group of orcas in Moroccan waters in the Strait of Gibraltar, according to Spain's maritime rescue service. This marks a new incident in a trend that has been occurring over the past four years.

The yacht, named Alboran Cognac and measuring 15 meters (49 feet) in length, was carrying two individuals when it was attacked by the highly social apex predators, also known as killer whales, at 9 a.m. local time on Sunday.

The passengers on the yacht felt sudden impacts on the hull and rudder, followed by water leaking into the ship. They quickly contacted rescue services for help. Fortunately, a nearby oil tanker came to their rescue and brought them to Gibraltar.

Sadly, the yacht was left floating aimlessly and eventually went under the water.

The incident is the most recent case of frequent orca rammings in the area around the Gibraltar Strait, which divides Europe and Africa, as well as off the Atlantic coast of Portugal and northwestern Spain.

Catamaran Guru

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Experts believe them to involve a subpopulation of about 15 individuals given the designation “Gladis.”

According to the research group GTOA, which monitors the Iberian orca sub-species, there have been almost 700 interactions with ships since reports of orca attacks in the region began in May 2020.

Researchers are uncertain about the reasons behind this behavior. Some leading theories suggest it could be a playful expression of the orcas' curiosity, a social trend, or a deliberate targeting of perceived competitors for their preferred prey, the local bluefin tuna.

Although known as killer whales, endangered orcas are part of the dolphin family. They can measure up to eight meters (26 feet) and weigh up to six tons as adults.

Editor's P/S:

This incident highlights the complex interactions between humans and marine wildlife. While orcas are fascinating and intelligent creatures, their recent behavior towards vessels is concerning and requires further study. The reasons for these rammings are still unclear, and researchers are exploring various hypotheses to gain insights into this phenomenon.

It's crucial to remember that orcas are apex predators facing challenges in their natural habitats. Overfishing and habitat degradation can impact their food sources and social structures. Understanding the factors contributing to this behavior can help us develop strategies for mitigating conflicts between orcas and vessels while ensuring their conservation and welfare.