Lorraine Williamson
A routine sailing trip turned into a distress call on Thursday afternoon when a group of orcas inflicted serious damage to a yacht off the Asturian coast.
The incident, which occurred near Cabo La Mar just after midday, left the vessel’s rudder compromised. Thankfully, no one aboard was injured, and the Maritime Rescue Service in Gijón towed the stricken craft safely to Llanes port.
The return of ‘Gladis’
The attack is believed to be the work of a well-known pod of orcas, headed by the now-infamous female nicknamed ‘Gladis’. This matriarch, familiar to marine watchers across northern Spain, has become notorious for her bold and sometimes aggressive interactions with boats. According to Luis Laria, head of the marine foundation CEPESMA, the pod typically includes three or four orcas, and “while many of their approaches are curious or playful, recent incidents show a worrying pattern”.
That pattern includes attacks earlier this week along the Basque coast. A French-flagged yacht was left taking on water after its rudder was torn apart and its keel breached. Another vessel was able to limp into port unaided after a similarly tense encounter north of Cabo Villano.
Why here, and why now?
The recent uptick in orca sightings and incidents in northern Spain isn’t random. Experts suggest the animals are following their prey. “The bluefin tuna population has exploded in recent years,” said Adolfo García Méndez, president of the Asturian Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds. “As tuna move along the Cantabrian coast, the orcas follow. We’ve seen far more of them, but until now, fishing boats have avoided trouble.”
These highly intelligent marine mammals typically inhabit the waters of the Gulf of Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. Each summer, they travel north into the Bay of Biscay in search of food—bringing them into contact with more vessels off Asturias, the Basque Country, and Galicia.
Official warning issued
Following the growing list of incidents, Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has issued a safety alert to sailors. The advisory urges skippers along the Basque coast to remain close to shore to lower the risk of encounters with the migrating pod.
What’s behind the behaviour?
There’s still no scientific consensus on why these orcas—particularly Gladis—are targeting boats. One theory is trauma: perhaps Gladis herself suffered a collision with a vessel, prompting an aggressive reaction that younger orcas have since learned to imitate. Other possible causes include territorial instincts, sensory overstimulation from propellers, or simply play that’s turned destructive.
What is clear is that this behaviour has become more frequent. Since 2020, over 500 incidents involving orcas have been recorded in Spanish waters, most notably around Gibraltar. In May this year, one incident ended with a boat sinking after both its rudder and hull were torn apart.
Northern waters no longer safe?
With the same orcas now operating in the Cantabrian Sea, the north coast of Spain may no longer be exempt from the boat-battering behaviour first seen in southern waters. While researchers continue to study the phenomenon, sailors are being advised to stay vigilant and report any orca sightings or interactions immediately.
Navigating summer waters with caution
What was once a rare thrill for boaters—spotting orcas in the wild—has shifted into something more unpredictable and potentially hazardous. As the behaviour of these pods evolves and spreads, particularly under the influence of matriarchs like Gladis, the Spanish coastline from Cádiz to the Basque Country is under closer scrutiny than ever.
Whether these events are isolated, a new norm, or something else entirely, the presence of orcas off Asturias is no longer just a spectacle—it’s a risk.
Here´s how to prevent Orca attacks
Sources: El Comercio, Cope, Scientific American