Spain Morocco Orcas Attacks Boaters Strait Gibraltar

Since the beginning of 2026, the maritime rescue centers in Tarifa and Cadiz have recorded 31 interactions between orcas and boats, compared to only 17 during the entire year 2025, according to the official report from a day organized in Barbate by the Spanish General Directorate of Merchant Marine.

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The monitored area extends from the Gulf of Cadiz to the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Morocco. Authorities advise boaters to avoid sectors considered most exposed and to navigate as close as possible to the coasts, when safety conditions permit.

Never cut the engine

In case of approach, the captain must not stop his boat. He is advised to maintain navigation toward shallower waters, while preventing passengers from approaching the edges to limit the risks of falling or injury caused by sudden movement.

Navigators also cannot use any device likely to kill, injure, or disturb the animals. They are instead invited to photograph the orcas and report each interaction to Salvamento Marítimo, in order to improve monitoring of their movements.

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Despite the sharp increase observed since January, Spanish experts believe that encounters could decrease in the coming months, in line with the trend observed in previous years.