Shared by Noonsite.com from their February Sailing News - sign up for their free monthly newsletter at https://www.noonsite.com/

PASSAGE PLANNING - Atlantic Iberian Peninsula
Over the first few months of 2024, in preparation for transit season south from Northern Europe, Noonsite is publishing guidelines in collaboration with the Cruising Association (CA) as to how you can best-prepare for a passage around the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula ("Orca Alley") and what you can do to help those following in your wake. Part 1 published last month covers passage planning tips, while part 2 focuses on how best to prepare prior to departure and FAQs. The CA Portal map image shows reported orca interactions in the Gibraltar area during April and May 2023.
Read Part 2: FAQs Prior to Departure
Read Part 1: Passage Planning Tips


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https://www.theca.org.uk/orcas

Shared by Noonsite.com from their May Sailing News - sign up for their free monthly newsletter at https://www.noonsite.com/

BE PREPARED FOR ORCA SEASON

Since the start of 2024 we have been publishing guidelines in collaboration with the Cruising Association (CA) as to how you can best-prepare for a passage around the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula, now that the risk of an orca interaction is a concerning factor. Having already covered passage planning tips, pre-departure preparation, FAQs and what to do at sea should you encounter orcas, the final article in the series looks at the anticipated movement of orca over the cruising season. Atlantic Iberian Peninsula ["Orca Alley"]: Passage Planning part 4.

See all four Articles and use these guidelines published by Noonsite in collaboration with the CA and learn how you can use your experience to help those following in your wake:
•    Read Part 1: Passage Planning Tips (January 2024)
•    Read part 2: FAQs Prior to Departure (February 2024)
•    Read part 3: What to do at sea should you encounter orcas (March 2024)
•    Read Part 4. Analysis of orca locations (April 2024)
Please also link to Noonsite Orca page

An orca/sailboat interaction was reported off the coast of Galicia (NW Spain) two weeks ago, resulting in a broken rudder. This is the first recording of orca so far north this early in the season. Orca Ibérica GTOA advise caution as this particular group of orcas are likely heading south.

Circe, the organisation devoted to conservation and study of cetaceans, are based in Barbate, Spain, the most active area for orca interactions with sailboats. Circe Biologist Renaud de Stephanis says “the sailboat is just an environmental enrichment” for the orcas. Watch his informative talk with orcas.pt about the orca family groups they study, their habits, strategies on how to best deal with encountering orcas and much more. Watch here.