Spain temporarily prohibits "sailing" due to whale attacks

Spain has temporarily banned the sport of sailing sailboats, which sail off some of its coasts, particularly the northwestern part, after a number of them were attacked by killer whales in recent weeks.

Dhows less than 15 meters in length have been banned since Tuesday, off the area extending about a hundred kilometers between Prioreview Grande and Estasa de Pars in the region of Galicia (northwestern Spain).

The Ministry of Transport stated in a statement that this measure aims "to protect individuals and boats alike."

The ministry indicated that the first attack of one of these white and black whales on a sailboat was recorded on August 19, and was followed by other attacks that caused various damage to the boats, especially to their rudder.

This ban is in effect for a week and may be extended to other parts of the coast “depending on the migration routes” of these killer whales.

Social media users shared a video clip showing killer whales swimming near a yacht in August along the coast of Galicia, before passengers discovered that the boat's rudder was damaged.

Killer whales weigh up to six tons and are up to ten meters long, which is the size of a bus, according to the non-governmental organizations that follow the case.

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