Orcas sink Spanish sailboat and shatter giant fish in Gulf of California

On the north‑western coast of Spain near Estaca de Bares, a pod of orcas damaged the rudder of the sailboat Idem, causing it to take on water and sink. Two crew members were rescued by a nearby motorboat and were later taken to the harbor of Cariño. The same day the orcas also struck three other vessels in the area, including the yacht Glatisant and the vessel Kador, marking the fourth incident recorded that day. Orca attacks on boats have been reported for years along the coasts of Spain, Portugal and the Strait of Gibraltar.

In July 2024, marine‑researcher Katy Ayres filmed a female orca in the Gulf of California ramming a giant halibut (Masturus lanceolatus) at high speed. The impact caused the fish to explode into fragments. Ayres said the behavior “helps young orcas learn feeding” and noted that such high‑impact hunting techniques can also involve play. Similar footage of an orca striking a fish was recorded a year earlier, confirming the behavior as part of the predator’s hunting strategy.