Iberian Orcas Bump Into Boats

If you happen to be in Iberia anytime soon, it might be best to leave your kayak at home...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/mystery-on-the-high-seas-as-iberian-orcas-bump-into-boats-757502d4

Here are a few quotes from the article.

"Since July 2020, Portuguese and Spanish researchers with the Atlantic Orca Working Group, or GTOA, have counted roughly 536 Iberian killer whale interactions with boats around the Strait of Gibraltar. In some cases, the orcas approached the vessels but didn’t touch them. Approximately 20% of the interactions ended with a vessel damaged to the point where it could no longer navigate, according to Alfredo López, a biologist and killer- whale specialist who is part of GTOA."

"Three sailboats sank after killer whales damaged rudders and caused serious water leaks, López said."

"There are fewer than 50 Iberian killer whales that swim in Atlantic waters around the Strait of Gibraltar, according to the most recent count by GTOA. Researchers have identified a total of 39, of which 18 are adults and the rest are juveniles."

"The idea that orcas could also be amusing themselves with the boats is rooted in long-term study of the marine mammals..."

Here's a video of one interaction with a sailboat:

Thanks for sharing. Good thing we don’t have those here. Although I remember reading they kill GWS, so maybe it would be good to have a few ..

I've been seeing the story pop up quite a bit on youtube, there have been several incidents and at least one boat that was sunk and had to be rescued.  It's, scary.  Because if they have a reason why they are doing it other than being playful, which to me is more likely the case it could become very ugly.  it's not just a few boats either, it's been a lot of attacks. 

oh, and sorry to burst your bubble, but Monterey does have Orca's in it.  Not that they are seen often, but they are there.