Another boat has been sunk by orcas in the Mediterranean, with a vessel reportedly hit by a group of the animals in the Strait of Gibraltar on May 12. The incident involved the sinking of a boat named the Alborán Cognac, as reported by Spanish newspaper El País. Fortunately, the crew members were rescued by a passing oil tanker, but the boat was lost.
Concerns have been raised by scientists following a series of orca attacks in 2023, leading to speculation about the motives behind these incidents. Referred to as 'orca wars' on social media, a population of orcas has been involved in multiple boat collisions off the coast of Portugal and near the Strait of Gibraltar, occurring at a rate of nearly one per day. Researcher Rui Alves has documented these attacks, with 12 incidents reported in June 2023 and 21 in May.
While the exact reasons for these attacks remain unclear, two main hypotheses have been proposed. One theory suggests that the highly intelligent and social killer whales may have adopted a new behavior, possibly influenced by younger members of orca pods. The other, more concerning possibility is that the attacks are a response to trauma involving boats, as suggested by Dr. Alfredo López Fernandez of the Atlantic Orca Working Group.
Notably, the attacks are not entirely unprecedented, as similar aggressive behavior was observed in 2020 when a group of orcas pursued sailboats in the region. The orcas have been known to ram into boat hulls and even use their teeth to scrape them, causing significant damage in some cases. The Iberian orca subpopulation, considered critically endangered with only 39 individuals in 2011, faces additional risks from potential retaliation by boaters or self-inflicted harm during these encounters.
Despite the ongoing concerns and uncertainties surrounding the orca attacks, scientists emphasize the need for reflection on human activities that may indirectly contribute to such behaviors. The situation underscores the complex interactions between marine life and human presence, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to protect both wildlife and human interests in the marine environment.
