Barbate/Strait of Gibraltar
Barbate is a town on Spain’s Costa de la Luz, 40 kilometres north of Cadiz. The modern town grew up around a fishing industry that goes back to Roman times. There are several beaches close to Barbate and two protected areas north and south of the town (the north is a vast area of pine forests and the south is the marshy flats of the Parque Natural de la Brena y Marismas del Barbate).
The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean with the European Mediterranean Sea and separates the two continents of Europe and Africa, more precisely it separates Spain and Morocco.
At its narrowest point, it is only 13 kilometres wide and has a length of 58 kilometres. Due to its unique connection to European coasts, it is one of the busiest waterways in the world.
Sotogrande has plenty of sports to keep you occupied – it is well known for its golf courses, tennis and padel clubs, rugby club, diving club and kayak/sailing club.
The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the most extraordinary habitats for fish and marine mammals in the world, including the subpopulation of Iberian orcas who currently number only 35-40 individuals.
Save the Iberian Orca
Patrolling the Strait of Gibraltar from land and sea with our colleagues Sea Shepherd France, we try to track every orca-boat interaction, aiming for safe cohabitation.
This project, launched in spring 2024, was put in place to help protect the critically endangered Iberian Orca. The small subpopulation (estimated to be c. 35 individuals) lives in the Strait of Gibraltar from the beginning of April to the end of October, and faces numerous threats including maritime traffic, pollution, and, increasingly, aggressive interactions from recreational boaters.
In a landmark move, WeWhale, together with the World Cetacean Alliance and Sea Shepherd France, has taken a stand against violence towards these vulnerable creatures. Following a distressing incident in August 2023, where a recreational boat crew was documented shooting at approaching orcas, we’ve filed charges against the perpetrators.
This case, making its way through the Spanish court system, represents our commitment to holding those who harm the Iberian Orca accountable and setting a precedent that such actions will not be tolerated.
Iberian Orca Conservation Programme
This conservation programme is focused on making a difference to the Iberian Orca population in the Strait of Gibraltar. For between 1 and 12 weeks, you can be part of a unique movement and mission to safeguard and protect the Iberian Orca population (seriously under threat with only c. 35 individuals remaining).
You will help to safeguard the Iberian orca with us on our 9-metre long vessel out at sea and in our land-based surveillance activities. This programme runs between April and October.
