Sailors in southwestern Europe are resorting to unconventional tactics to deal with the increasing number of killer whale attacks on boats in the region.
Some say they have succeeded in deterring killer whales by playing loud heavy metal songs through underwater speakers, describing it as a “game-changer”.
In recent years, mariners in the region have had to contend with an unprecedented number of attacks. In some cases, boats have capsized despite the best efforts of maritime authorities.
Boat operators have had to turn to online forums and social media platforms to find solutions to a problem that has baffled scientists.
Some said they now share custom-made thrash and heavy metal playlists in Facebook groups, Telegram chats and other online platforms.
One such shared playlist is called “Metal for Orcas” on Spotify. It includes heavy metal songs such as “The Blood of Power”, “Infinite Terror”, “Stretched and Devoured” and “Exceptionally Sadistic”.
In the Facebook group “Orca Attack Reports”, which has about 60,000 members, some in the maritime community share their interactions with orcas and exchange ideas to deter them.
One person in the Facebook group said that playing loud music is a “game changer”, while another sailor said that it does not deter killer whales from attacking and damaging his boat.
