Orcas Attack Sailboat Off Spain's Coast

A recent surge in orca sightings and aggressive behavior has raised concerns among seafarers in various locations. In Horseshoe Bay, a family unexpectedly encountered orcas hunting seals, highlighting a 70% increase in killer whale sightings in the Salish Sea compared to last year. Conversely, off the coast of Spain, orcas have been involved in alarming attacks on boats, with a recent incident involving a Belgian couple whose yacht, Amidala, was repeatedly rammed, leaving one crew member injured and the vessel immobile. Research suggests that these attacks may be a form of training for younger orcas, as they appear to target rudders rather than the crew. The increase in ramming incidents has been linked to orcas following bluefin tuna, with nearly 700 documented attacks in the Iberian Peninsula alone. This combination of playful behavior towards prey and aggressive interactions with vessels underscores the complex dynamics between orcas and humans in marine environments.