Spain bans small boats from stretch of water after orca encounters

Two-week order on coast between Cape Trafalgar and Barbate is second time authorities have taken action

Spain has ordered small boats to steer clear of a stretch of the country's southern coast after reports of more than 50 encounters with boisterous orcas, including as many as 25 incidents in which boats had to be towed to shore.

A two-week prohibition bars most vessels of 15 metres or less from sailing near the coast between Cape Trafalgar and the small town of Barbate. It is the second time in 13 months that Spain's ministry of transport has taken action to address a spate of extraordinary orca encounters that have baffled scientists.