Spain protects whales

The Spanish Navy has recommended that boats in the Gibraltar Strait slow down to avoid hitting the whales. This is considered the first initiative to protect this mammal in the Mediterranean Sea.

Pepper whale (Photo: pbs.org)

According to marine biologist Renaud de Stephanis, ships that run too fast are especially dangerous for whales, and say the speed limit should be 24 km / g.

Dozens of sperm whales have gathered in the Strait of Gibraltar to eat squid. This is also the habitat of about 260 pepper whales.

Gibraltar is one of the world's largest straits of boats and ships, and every year many whales here are hit by ships because they cannot see them or because they do not change their route. There is currently no exact number of whales that were hit by injured whales that were not monitored and are now healthy.

Mr. De Stephanis, of Cadiz-based Center for Research, Information and Conservation of Marine Mammals, said he hoped that the Spanish Navy's recommendations would promote the whale's interest in whales. the union.

Nature conservation groups said that since November last year, six pepper whales have been found dead on the Andalusian coasts, far more than usual. Scientists think they die from pollution.

WALL VY