Endangered Sperm Whale Killed in Strait of Gibraltar Collision

An endangered sperm whale, affectionately named Julio by researchers, has tragically died after colliding with a vessel in the busy Strait of Gibraltar. This incident marks the fifth recorded sperm whale death due to ship strikes in the region since monitoring began over a decade ago. Dr. Renaud de Stephanis, a leading whale researcher with Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans (CIRCE), described the scene as “horrible,” noting the significant bloodshed in the water. Dr. de Stephanis is advocating for the implementation of marine mammal observers on ferries traversing the narrow strait, emphasizing the ongoing threat that maritime traffic poses to marine life. He highlighted that such collisions occur every two to three years, raising concerns about the dwindling population of sperm whales in the Mediterranean, which may number as few as 1,000 individuals. The recent death of Julio is particularly distressing for marine scientists, as the whale had been frequently sighted in the area over the past three weeks and had been known to researchers for over a decade. Officially cataloged as PM-GIB-88, Julio was a familiar presence in the Strait of Gibraltar, where he often came to feed. The Strait of Gibraltar has gained international attention due to a separate issue involving orcas ramming sailing boats. CIRCE has stated that the problem of marine mammal fatalities from ship strikes is not isolated, but rather a global concern that necessitates a comprehensive response.