PROPERTY SEARCH
VIDEO: Spanish sailors use deadly blades to deter endangered whales
Fishermen in the Strait of Gibraltar have been filmed attaching sharp blades to their rudders to injure orcas
Des lames coupantes pour blesser les orques qui s'approcheraient. Voilà comment certains marins équipent leur safran pour naviguer dans le détroit de Gibraltar.
— Sea Shepherd France (@SeaShepherdFran) July 28, 2024
Tout en luttant activement pour la libération de Paul Watson, nos missions de terrain se poursuivent. L'opération que… pic.twitter.com/lPTnM1GlJT
A shocking video released by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has brought to light a disturbing practice by some sailors in the Strait of Gibraltar. The footage shows boats equipped with sharp blades attached to their rudders, intended to injure or deter orcas that come too close.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a group dedicated to protecting and conserving the world's oceans and marine life, has launched an operation in cooperation with WeWhale to protect the critically endangered Iberian orcas from these reprisals and to advise sailors in the area.
This footage has emerged just days after another British sailboat sank in the Strait of Gibraltar following an attack by a pod of five orcas. Thankfully, the crew of three was rescued, but the expensive Bonhomme William was beyond repair.
In the last few years, more than 600 encounters with killer whales have been reported in these waters, most of which cause damage to rudders or holes in the hulls. The reasons behind the increased interactions and attacks are largely unknown.
Killer whales, a subspecies of orca, are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. Despite this, some fishermen continue to view their interactions with boats as “attacks” and are taking matters into their own hands.
However, as the conservation group points out, these maritime mammals display no signs of aggression and any damage caused is likely due to their size and strength rather than any malicious intent. In fact, no wild orca has ever injured a human being.
The situation has been reported to Local Police, who acknowledge the legal protection afforded to orcas as a strictly protected species. However, there is a grey area regarding the use of blade equipment on boats, which can cause injury to the whales.
In response, the Sea Shepherd legal team is preparing a complaint for “attempted destruction of a protected species”.
The conservation group continues to actively patrol the Strait of Gibraltar daily, preventing any further reprisals against the orcas and offering assistance to sailors in need. They also emphasise the importance of education and awareness, reminding the public that orcas are curious and playful cetaceans, and their interactions with boats are not necessarily malicious attacks.
Image: Archive
See more news about animals in Spain:
OR
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin to get a comprehensive email with all the week’s news for Spain, Murcia, Alicante and Andalucía.
Get a sneak peek – here are a few of our recent Subscription Bulletins:
50% Discount Special Offer subscription:
24.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
