We contact you on behalf of the General Directorate for Land and Marine Biodiversity of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge / MITECO in the exercise of your competences in the field of marine biodiversity and protected marine areas. We are undertaking a project of actions to preserve and improve the knowledge of the marine environment.

For a few years now, interactions are taking place between Iberian orcas (Orcinus orca) and vessels, in which these cetaceans push the rudder, often damaging it and even breaking it, making the boat innavigable.

For this reason and in response to the proposal of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (CBI), a workshop was held in Madrid, Spain, in February 2024, in which scientists specialized in orcas and management authorities from different countries participated. A number of recommendations and guidelines were obtained from the workshop for all navigators in the event of sightings or interactions with orcas in the Atlantic. These recommendations aim to avoid or minimize risks to crew members, vessels, navigation and cetaceans themselves.

These guidelines are extended throughout the year, with the forecast that they will be extended during the months of April to August in the delimited area of the Gulf of Cadiz and the Strait of Gibraltar reflected in the map of the attached diptic. This area is highly likely to have orcas, especially for that time of year.

We attach this document in PDF format and in photography (JEPG)

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MINISTER FOR TRANSITION