On March 8th 2025, Barbate hosted a public awareness and information day dedicated to the Iberian orcas of the Strait of Gibraltar, bringing together researchers, conservationists, local organisations and the community to share knowledge and promote coexistence and conservation.

The event took place at the historic Lonja Vieja in Barbate and was organised by Ecologistas en Acción in collaboration with WeWhale and Voluntarios Ambientales Trafalgar, with funding from the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO) and the support of the Andalusian Government and Barbate Town Hall.

The day opened with welcoming remarks from Barbate’s mayor Miguel Molina and Councillor for Sustainability and Environment Gema Rivera, together with Doris Iglesias from Voluntarios Ambientales Trafalgar.

Throughout the morning, attendees had the opportunity to listen to talks and discussions by several experts working on cetacean research, conservation and coexistence in the Strait of Gibraltar, including Cristina Otero from Asociación Nereide and WeWhale, Renaud de Stephanis from CIRCE, Janek André, founder of WeWhale, Manuel Suárez, head of the Tarifa Fishermen’s Guild, and Lola Yllescas from Ecologistas en Acción.

The event concluded with the inauguration of a large mural dedicated to the Iberian orcas, painted by local artist HOKO (HK Decoraciones) on the breakwater wall of Barbate Harbour. The artwork was created to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the Iberian orca population and the marine ecosystem they depend on.

This initiative forms part of a project for the conservation of the Iberian Orca and its habitat in the Strait of Gibraltar, funded by MITECO and developed with the collaboration of the Andalusian Public Ports Agency in Barbate.