Orcas attack sailboat in Vigo estuary

A group of orcas attacked a sailboat in the Vigo estuary, causing significant damage to the vessel's rudder. This incident marks the second such encounter in the Galician waters within a 24-hour period. Maritime rescue services mobilized the Salvamar Mirach to assist the crew, who were eventually able to navigate slowly to the port of Baiona without taking on water.

The group of orcas was led by a 60-year-old matriarch known as ‘Abuela Toñi’. Scientists from CEMMA noted that the whale appeared to have nine bullet wounds in her fin, likely sustained between the Algarve and the Strait. Under Spanish law, the orca subpopulation in the Strait and the Iberian Atlantic is a protected vulnerable species, and harming them is a serious criminal offense.

Researchers suggest these interactions are often attempts at engagement rather than intentional harm. The incident has heightened concerns regarding the safety of both maritime navigators and marine wildlife in the region.