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Date Published: 18/04/2025

Scientists use whale cams to prevent orca boat attacks in Gibraltar

So far in 2025, only two incidents with orcas have been reported in Spain

Orca ‘attacks’ on fishing boats and leisure craft in the Strait of Gibraltar have increased at an alarming rate over the last decade or so, which not only pose a threat to life and property, but also to the welfare of the whales.

To better understand the fascination orcas seem to have with boats and in an effort to prevent more accidents in the future, marine researchers in Gibraltar are turning to cutting-edge technology, which includes tiny, animal-mounted cameras.

The marine conservation group Circe has launched its most ambitious orca monitoring campaign yet. Based out of Barbate in Cádiz, the team has kicked off this season’s research after spotting the first Iberian orcas arriving in the Strait, and their main goal is to stop curious orcas from getting too close to boats, especially sailboats.

"This final phase is really exciting," said Dr. Renaud de Stephanis, coordinator at Circe. "We’ll be able to combine satellite tracking with the deployment of ‘catcambs’ on orcas, allowing us to advance out knowledge.”

These futuristic catcambs will be attached to the whales and are capable of recording up to eight hours of underwater footage. They are being specially developed with the help of Loro Parque and will give scientists an unprecedented view of the orcas’ behaviour. The hope is to learn more about which individual orcas are approaching vessels and why.

The data, combined with satellite tracking, could help researchers better predict orca movements and reduce risky encounters with boats.

Alongside the high-tech gadgets, Circe’s team will use two boats and also experiment with land-based observation points, to see if shore teams can spot orcas early and warn vessels in real time.

Orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar are no strangers to attention. Since 1999, Circe has been tracking these animals individually using photo ID and movement models. So far, 90 orcas have been identified, with 42 currently confirmed active and part of three major social groups. The rest have either died, moved elsewhere, or just haven’t been seen recently.

The new campaign is part of a larger effort that began in 2020 to reduce interactions between orcas and vessels. Through work with the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the Loro Parque Foundation and Sea Observer, Circe has helped design safe navigation routes based on real-time orca location data and predictive models.

And it seems to be working: in 2023, there was a 70% drop in recorded interactions. So far in 2025, only two incidents have been reported — a promising sign, though experts caution that stormy weather may also be playing a part in keeping the animals at bay.

Still, Circe stresses that the risk isn’t gone, and sailors need to stay alert and follow the established safety guidelines.

In other news: Baby dies in Almería after clandestine circumcision

Images: Circe

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