Orca attacks: "The problem isn't going away - it's more likely to increase"

How did "orcas.pt" come about?

I saw that there was a problem with orcas, but people weren't talking to each other. There was no centralised place where information was pooled. I wanted to change that. It started with a small WhatsApp group with 30-40 people. In six months, we had 1,000 and had to switch to Telegram. At the same time, I developed the website with the map so that sailors could see where the orcas were and involved scientists who could explain why the orca attacks were happening.

What are we dealing with now - orca attacks or interactions?

I switch between the terms, but it's important to understand: To me, these are not attacks on people, they are attacks on the rudder blades. I don't think the orcas are thinking "today I'm attacking you". They are playing with the oar.

On the website, I speak of an "attack" or "incident" - in other words, an incident that is not normal. "Interaction", on the other hand, sounds as if both sides want to interact with each other. But that's not the case.

How many orcas exhibit this behaviour and how are the numbers developing?

Scientists speak of 30-40 animals in the group, of which around 15 actively attack boats. The problem is that the babies learn the behaviour. So you can't say that the problem will disappear at some point because the conspicuous orcas get older and die. There are more of them.

Nevertheless, we still had 180 cases in 2022, compared to just 128 last year. Sailors are better informed, know the risk and plan their routes differently - some sail further away from the coast, others choose completely different routes towards the Mediterranean. This year we'll see if we stay at around 120.

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They collect a lot of data on the orca incidents. Others are doing the same, such as the British Cruising Association or the Grupo de Trabajo Orca Atlántica. Everywhere you read references to each other - but different figures. Why is that?

I work very well with Trans Ocean in Germany, I even won a prize from them. Sailors from Trans Ocean approach me directly and we talk to each other. It's complicated with the British Cruising Association: About 60% of my community members are also there, but officially they don't work with me. They mention me on their website, but I get no response to my enquiries about working with them.

I'm not interested in politics, I just want to work with everyone.

Who are you currently working with?

I talk to scientists from Portugal and Spain, we exchange information. I work with around 50 different sources - scientists, authorities, the marines, whale watchers, fishermen. They all co-operate with me. When a sighting is reported to me, I also speak to others who were in the area on the same day and ask for photos. That way I can verify 80-90% of the cases. The Portuguese and Spanish navies officially use my data.

There are many theories about the factors that make an attack more likely - boat colours, boat types. What do you think?

Scientists have tested this: The colour doesn't matter. It's not about pink, white or black - it's about the moving object, the rudder. Even with hull shape or size, it's simple statistics: if there are more catamarans on the water, more catamarans are attacked. If there are more boats between 12 and 14 metres, there are more incidents in this size.

So what are the current behavioural recommendations?

We have also tested this - with scientists and sailors. The clear recommendation is: don't stop, keep going, preferably towards the coast into shallow water. If you stop, the orca will continue to play until the rudder breaks. If you keep going, the orca will lose contact with its group after a while and the boat will become uninteresting. It returns to the group.

Reversing is also often recommended...

That is very dangerous! A rudder is not designed for reversing in waves and strong currents. It worked for some sailors, the orcas swam away. But we don't know whether this was due to reversing or for completely different reasons. However, the risk of damaging the rudder or the rudder suspension is enormous.

Some also reinforce the rudder blade - but this can backfire. If the rudder doesn't break during an attack, something else on the boat will break. The force has to go somewhere.

Part of the recommendation is to sail in less than 20 metres of water. But there have been attacks there too, and sailors report that gillnets can quickly get caught in the propeller. Does the recommendation still stand?

Yes, we have analysed all the data: Tuna, the orcas' prey, do not stay in the 20 metre range. The orcas follow the tuna in deeper zones. In six years, there have only been 34 incidents in shallow water - that's very few. There are nets there, that's true. But it's one risk versus the other - you have to weigh it up. There is no zero risk, only very little risk.

What do you say to more ruthless defence methods such as spikes on the rudder blade or fireworks?

Everything must be assessed by scientists, not by the user. If fireworks are a solution, we need the right dose - studied and authorised. Not just New Year's Eve firecrackers. Incidentally, the transport of fireworks on boats is prohibited in Portugal anyway.

These spikes we see on the internet are brutal. Imagine a baby orca coming back to its mother injured. What happens then? They won't just attack the rudder, but other parts of the boat. And you can't fit the whole boat with spikes.

However, the University of Cádiz is already researching solutions: Scientists are looking for something that makes contact with the rudder blade unpleasant for orcas but does not injure them.

The orca pinger is supposed to fulfil a similar purpose, keeping the animals away with sounds. What do you think of this method?

The problem is that the developer has never tested it with orcas. But scientists say that pingers don't work. Orcas get used to noise in the water. Big ships make noise too - why would they move away from a little thing? On a boat, a pinger even means: "Here I am, here I am!"

They practically wake up the orca. I've seen videos of orcas playing with pingers. And sailors with pingers were still attacked. That is not a serious product for me.

What else would you like to pass on to sailors?

Preparation, preparation, preparation! Some people spend days on weather routing, but only ten minutes on orca preparation. That's not enough.

Find out where the orcas have been sighted. Prepare your crew. Discuss beforehand: Who will do what if an orca comes? Who goes to the radio? Who keeps a lookout? Make an emergency plan. If you are prepared and something happens, there is much less danger.

What is the best way for sailors to get information? Data is available on orcas.pt, from the British Cruising Association or the Spanish Grupo de Trabajo Orca Atlántica. Everywhere you read references to each other - but different figures.

That's right. Use several sources! It's like driving a car - you ask friends, watch traffic reports, listen to the radio. It's the same here: Look at GT Orca AIS, orcas.pt, ask scientists, ask me.

There is no one perfect source, and in fact not all data is congruent because not all players co-operate with each other. I work very well with Trans Ocean in Germany, I even won an award from them. Sailors from Trans Ocean approach me directly and we talk to each other. It's complicated with the British Cruising Association: About 60% of my community members are also there, but officially they don't work with me. They mention me on their website, but I get no response to my enquiries about working with them.

At orcas.pt, sailors can discuss their route with me at any time. We take our time - an hour if necessary - and plan together.