Orcas Keep Targeting Boats Off Europe
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Since 2020, a small, critically endangered subpopulation of fewer than 50 orcas has been ramming and even sinking boats in the Atlantic Ocean. These incidents typically occur off the coasts of Spain and Portugal during spring and summer. This is when the killer whales migrate to the area in search of Atlantic bluefin tuna, their main food source.
This unusual behavior has continued into 2026. On July 23, a group of orcas targeted a sailboat named Idem. The whales repeatedly struck the boat’s rudder, causing water to flood in until the boat sank. Fortunately, the two people on the boat were rescued safely. Three other boats also encountered orcas in the area that day. One lost the ability to steer and had to be escorted to port. The other two suffered damage but made it safely to shore.
Just over a month later, on August 29, a pod of four orcas struck a 42-foot (12.8m) sailing yacht and broke off about half of its rudder. The damaged boat and the five people on board managed to return to port safely. Less than 48 hours later, on August 31, a Spanish rescue vessel had to escort another damaged yacht into the port of Baiona, Spain, after an orca pod disabled its steering. The encounters have continued into September, with several new incidents reported off the coasts of Spain and Portugal.
The ongoing attacks appear to have increased tensions between boat owners and the orcas. In early September, Spanish authorities reported that Toñi — the 60-year-old matriarch and oldest member of the pod — had been shot with a pellet gun, leaving wounds on her dorsal fin. Fortunately, Toñi seems to be healing and was recently seen swimming with her pod.
Why are orcas ramming boats?
Scientists still do not know why the orcas are targeting boats. Some initially speculated that the killer whales might be seeking revenge. However, that idea was quickly dismissed.
In May 2024, a group of experts suggested that the behavior could be linked to play. In the past, Atlantic bluefin tuna were hard to find. But their numbers have grown substantially because of ocean protection rules. With more tuna available, the whales spend less time searching for food. This may give young orcas more free time to explore and play. The scientists think the whales may be viewing boat rudders as fun toys.
In September 2024, biologist Bruno Díaz López and his team at Spain's Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute proposed another idea. They suggested that young orcas may be using boats to practice hunting skills.
Atlantic bluefin tuna can grow to about 10 feet (3 m) long and weigh hundreds of pounds. They also swim quickly in large groups. When hunting tuna, orcas work together to separate one fish from the group. One whale may strike a tuna, followed by another. Once the fish is separated, the orcas chase it until it is exhausted. They then guide the fish toward shallower water, where it becomes easier to catch. The researchers believe sailboats may provide a useful target for this type of practice. The boats move through the water swiftly and quietly, much like tuna.
"This is like a training toy," Díaz López said. "It's a shame that we humans are in the middle of this game, but they are learning."
To avoid encounters, scientists and marine authorities advise boaters to stay away from areas where orcas are known to be present. Another suggestion is to make loud banging noises near the boat to deter them. Boat owners can also make their vessels less "fun" to play with by replacing smooth rudders with rougher ones.
Resources: Livescience.com, Theguardian.com, surinenglish.com
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5 Comments
sonoinabout 1 houri hope the orcas get more population
mjdjdanceabout 2 hoursI hope nobody else gets injured or hurt..
qazcksnackabout 3 hoursvery cool and have a nice day- bangabout 3 hoursthat's sick bro
- qazcksnackabout 3 hourscool article