After a few days of Levante and full boats all the time, I finally
had the chance to go out on a boat trip again. There was exactly one
seat left so I took the opportunity, changed my work schedule and
went on that boat, to be close to these wonderful animals again. The
ocean was completely calm, like I’ve only rarely seen it before. This
has the advantage that you can spot the animals much better. The
people on the boat were very excited and full of expectations and
hopes. 10 minutes after we started, we spotted some striped dolphins
in a short distance from the boat but alas they did not delight us
with their presence for long. So we moved towards Morocco where we
spotted a group of Pilot Whales after a while. They were very relaxed
and did not seem to be bothered by our presence. Our tourists were
enthusiastic to see those beautiful and peaceful animals drifting on
the surface. Thanks to the introduction, which all our tourists get
before each whale watching trip, they used this information right a
way and we heard them say: “Look there, the Pilot Whales”.
After a while, we left the group of whales, because Katharina had
spotted some Bottlenose Dolphins jumping in the bow wave of a passing
cargo ship. So we moved in that direction right away and the dolphins
finally appeared next to our boat. They were in a very good mood like
I had never seen them before. Sebastian, our captain, had slowed the
boat down, so that we were moving very slowly. The Bottlenose
Dolphins love to swim in the bow waves, which is the reason why these
active animals stayed around our boat. From the back of the boat we
were able to observe the rest of the group performing a terrific
show. We saw them quite well below the water surface, with the
reflection of the sunrays on their bellies. Everybody was ready
waiting with their cameras, to take the perfect picture at the right
moment. Sometimes the dolphins even jumped out of the depth three at
a time only a few seconds apart, to make their presence even more
spectacular. In the bow, some of the people got wet because a
dolphin deliberately hit the water with his tail fin to get people wet.
Everybody was laughing and enjoying the show. Some of the dolphins
were flaunting the so called breaching. That’s when they stand out of
the water with their full bodies and then let themselves fall
backwards or sideways into the water.

Photo above: some impressions of the playful Bottlenose Dolphins
around the boat. (Photos: KH)

There were enthusiastic “ohhhhs… ahhhhs…wows” from the tourists.
Apparently, this had a positive effect on these animals, which didn’t
want to leave us anymore. Katharina, obviously thrilled as well and
very happy that our tourists could experience such a great trip, gave
the last comment: “This was our 11.00 o’clock show.” Everybody
laughed and took their final pictures of those so well humoured
dolphins. Back on land everyone thanked us for that great trip.
Somebody even said that this had been the best whale watching tour he
had ever been on.
As for me, I was really happy to have been on that boat trip. To
see the dolphins in such a great mood and full of life was an amazing
feeling and a great adventure, which I will never forget!

-Tina-

On the way back from the trip between 11:00 am and 01:00 pm I suddenly recognize a movement in the swell, but do not see a blow or anything else conspicuous. The boat is running at full speed so I think it is not worth it to stop for one small dolphin. A few hundred meters further I see a similar movement in the water and realize that it was caused by a bigger animal. We stop the boat and move very slowly when suddenly a whale appears at the surface in front of us. All together the whale appears 4 times close to us and by habit one could easily think of a Fin whale calf. But a single calf is very unlikely. The whale also shows its “nose” when it appears, something a fin whale does not do. Furthermore, the ridge of the whale’s upper jaw is even more edged than the one of the Fin whale. Theoretically the northern Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) could be identified properly by the white stripes on the upper side of their pectoral fins, but these are quite rare to be seen. (see photo below; Picture: Wale.info)

However, the southern Minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) has no such white stripes. If the first movement was caused by another Minke whale we will never know. Minke whales are really good in disappearing if they want to. Maybe an escape mechanism, which they developed as they still are a hunted species. They are quite rare to be observed in the strait of Gibraltar, this was only the sixth sighting in 10 years.

Photo above: Minke whale, 15.10.2003 close to Tarifa. (Photo: KH)

-Jörn-

Levante, the stormy easterly wind does not allow us to leave the port of Tarifa. That’s why it was decided to go out in the bay of Algeciras for our observation trip. The group is divided and allocated to different cars. I have the special pleasure to experience the winding road to Algeciras with the biologist Jörn. He does not miss any chance to comment other road users, or rather rivals and for sure he covers the distance in record time. My hand stuck to the handhold above the passenger’s door does not relax until we reach the harbor.

Photo above: Jörn on the boat (really relaxed) (Photo: Frank Haasenritter)

We have to wait a moment for the boat to arrive as it is being refueled, before we right away leave to explore the bay of Algeciras respectively Gibraltar. In the beginning we do not see anything on the surface, which does not matter much as this gives us time to look at the impressive rock of Gibraltar. Outside of the bay we then spot the first dolphins. The engine is running idle quietly humming and we are all very enthusiastic to see the first dolphins (Common Dolphins) which swim really fast along the boat and show up every now and then. This is a good foretaste of what we are about to see in the next days in an amazing variety.

Photo above: Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the Bay of Gibraltar (Photo: Frank Haasenritter)

After the dolphins are gone, we are navigating back towards the bay. Suddenly the captain shouts out loud and points to a spot next to a big containership where a sperm whale is breathing on the surface. There is no need to change our course as the whale is in a good range of sight. At the same time a boat of the local harbour police shows up, they obviously try to disturb the whale to get it moving out of the bay. The whale reacts right away. To dive down it bends its body and a moment later its huge tail fin appears for a few seconds before the colossus disappears in the depths of the ocean. Jörn is beside himself with rage because of the behaviour of the police. To quote his statements here, would give this website definitely an X-rated status.

Photo above: The sperm whale is forced to dive down because of the police boat racing by. (Photos: Frank Haasenritter)

The sighting of that whale is registered and we start navigating towards the harbour. From there other whale watching boats are moving towards us and we can see that they have spotted a group of striped dolphins. Astonished I see one big whale watching boat moving with high speed towards those dolphins and crossing the group. The dolphins use the stern wave to surf and are lingering a while close to our boat.

Photo above: jumping striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) in front of the massive harbour buildings in Algeciras (Photo: Frank Haasenritter)

A nice ending of the first tour, well not yet…… the way back to Tarifa with Jörn will be as thrilling as the way to get here.

-Frank Haasenritter-

Orca-sightings are definitely one of the highlights on a whale watching trip. The chances to observe them today are good, because other boats have seen them before. We steer a course for the Moroccan fishermen who have run out the fishing lines to catch the big red tunas. On the way there we encounter a big group of common dolphins. They are very playful and come close to the boat. After a short while we continue our trip. Upon arrival at our destination, we find some dozens of small wooden fishing boats, equipped with a weak outboard motor.
The scenery of a trip like that couldn’t be much prettier. The foothills of the Moroccan Atlas Mountains lead here all the way to the ocean and impress with a gigantic cliff line.

With their line held in a glove protected hand and with their catch technique and physical power of mostly 3 men, you would not believe that the fishermen are able to handle a tuna with an average weight of 300kg and a combat strength not to be underestimated. Inevitably, memories of scenes from “the old men and the sea” come into my mind. One fishing boat advises us not to come too close to their boat because they had just began pulling up a tuna and they have to get it into the boat as fast as possible. Haste is necessary, as a family of Orcas has already detected the struggling tuna on the line. The Orcas keep diving down to incorporate the present “snack”.

Photo above: The Orcas scent the prey and prowl towards the small fishing boat (Photo: Frank Haasenritter)

The fishermen’s desperation cannot be overlooked and the decreasing strength and weight of the tuna leads us to suspect that the catch, which is worth about 1500€, seems to be lost. Finally the big head of the tuna appears on the surface. The sad certainty of the loss can be seen, as they heave the frazzled body above the ship’s side. Only a few rests of the reddish, tasty meat can be seen. Again I have to think about “the old men and the sea”. With wild gestures and swearing they give rein to their desperation. The Orcas move on.

Photo above: There is not much left of the big catch for the Moroccan fishermen. Even though there is some utilizable meat on the tuna’s head, the frustration about the loss is legitimate and understandable. (Photos: Frank Haasenritter)

Photo above: one man’s mishap is another man’s joy. While the guests from firmm® enjoy seeing the graceful Orcas, the fishermen are angry about their lost catch. (Photo: Frank Haasenritter)

For us it is time to head back to Tarifa. Soon after leaving the fishermen we encounter a group of pilot whales. I am surprised that they remain not far from the Orca family. Back in Tarifa we talk about our observations again and it is obvious that we will keep a lot of impressions.

-Frank Haasenritter-