Strait of Gibraltar orca interactions prompt new maritime safety guidelines

Experts and Spanish ministries have issued safety guidelines for mariners following a recent increase in orca interactions in the Strait of Gibraltar. Renaud de Stephanis, president of the conservation organization CIRCE, noted a resurgence in these encounters after a period where interactions had significantly declined.

To minimize risks to both vessels and the animals, the official protocol recommends that sailors do not stop their boats. Instead, they should maintain propulsion and steer toward the coast into shallower waters, ideally below 30 meters, to discourage the animals. The interactions are described as play behaviors rather than attacks, though they can cause serious damage, particularly to rudders.

Safety recommendations for passengers include staying in protected areas of the boat to avoid falls and avoiding any actions that might disturb the orcas, such as hitting the hull, throwing objects, or using disruptive sounds. Encounters should be reported to the nearest maritime coordination center, and documentation via photography is encouraged for identification purposes if safe to do so.