Orca attack

[Graham376]

do you have a link to info relating to the fishermen mentioned?

Or preferably a link to a shop in Huelva or Ayamonte which sells them? Asking for a friend of course

 

[Greybeardy]

In reply to Athomson, I cannot remember where I read about the fishermen using pyrotechnics to deter seals. Nevertheless, there is a NOAA Fisheries guidance paper 'Potential Methods for Deterring Seals and Sea Lions from Private Property and Fishing Activities'. This mentions pyrotechnics amongst other measures.

 

[noelex]

This article in the Guardian today was pretty disgusting.

The reporter, Emma Beddington, is happy the Orcas are attacking yachts. Quote:

“Why do we like this story so much? Because we do: people - including me - love the idea

of orcas attacking boats.”


The orca uprising: whales are ramming boats – but are they inspired by revenge, grief or memory?

 

[Wansworth]

This article in the Guardian today was pretty disgusting.

The reporter, Emma Beddington, is happy the Orcas are attacking yachts. Quote:

“Why do we like this story so much? Because we do: people - including me - love the idea

of orcas attacking boats.”


The orca uprising: whales are ramming boats – but are they inspired by revenge, grief or memory?

Sounds rather stupid

 

[KevinV]

This article in the Guardian today was pretty disgusting.

The reporter, Emma Beddington, is happy the Orcas are attacking yachts. Quote:

“Why do we like this story so much? Because we do: people - including me - love the idea

of orcas attacking boats.”


The orca uprising: whales are ramming boats – but are they inspired by revenge, grief or memory?

Wow, I had no idea that I was now part of the super-rich by being a boat owner - they must have really lowered the bar, because I'm mostly a lot poorer since buying it

What a load of metropolitan, lefty drivel - it's cuddly foxes all over again

 

[laika]

“Why do we like this story so much? Because we do: people - including me - love the idea

of orcas attacking boats.”

Sometime after the above statement where she seems super happy about people's lives being at risk she talks about yacht owners being "billionaires" without the slightest awareness that "billionaires'" yachts wouldn't notice being chomped by a killer whale. While my politics are, I believe, somewhat less conservative than the bulk of the forum, that particular guardian writer does bring out the petty popularism in me to a degree I should not expand upon here.

 

[Wansworth]

Sometime after the above statement where she seems super happy about people's lives being at risk she talks about yacht owners being "billionaires" without the slightest awareness that "billionaires'" yachts wouldn't notice being chomped by a killer whale. While my politics are, I believe, somewhat less conservative than the bulk of the forum, that particular guardian writer does bring out the petty popularism in me to a degree I should not expand upon here.

Maybe she worked for the DailyMailbefore

 

[Adios]

I doubt you'll find any written admittance of using firecrackers from a traceable source. Word of mouth and chats over a beer in boatyard/ fishdock is the closest you'll get. Fishermen still going out, Charter boats not. Maybe because the charter skippers can't use firecrackers in front of paying public passengers?

I linked to some Americans using them to deter Orcas (miles up the thread somewhere) and IIRC they were conservationists so didn't think it would harm them. The green brigade in Portugal might be more aggressive than the orcas

 

[Adios]

Wow, I had no idea that I was now part of the super-rich by being a boat owner - they must have really lowered the bar, because I'm mostly a lot poorer since buying it

What a load of metropolitan, lefty drivel - it's cuddly foxes all over again

hardly anyone knows that the modest yacht they see out in the bay while on holiday, which they dream of being able to have in their life, costs less than their car.

 

[greeny]

Or preferably a link to a shop in Huelva or Ayamonte which sells them? Asking for a friend of course

Talking to one of the Faro charter boat skippers today, he says they are staying inside the Ria Formosa for the time being as orcas have been seen in 5m depth, close to Culatra island. Evidently some are inshore of the tuna nets which stretch for several miles to the east.

Sent you a pm Graham.

 

[LittleSister]

This article in the Guardian today was pretty disgusting.

The reporter, Emma Beddington, is happy the Orcas are attacking yachts. Quote:

“Why do we like this story so much? Because we do: people - including me - love the idea

of orcas attacking boats.”


The orca uprising: whales are ramming boats – but are they inspired by revenge, grief or memory?

Wow, I had no idea that I was now part of the super-rich by being a boat owner - they must have really lowered the bar, because I'm mostly a lot poorer since buying it

What a load of metropolitan, lefty drivel - it's cuddly foxes all over again

Sometime after the above statement where she seems super happy about people's lives being at risk she talks about yacht owners being "billionaires" without the slightest awareness that "billionaires'" yachts wouldn't notice being chomped by a killer whale. While my politics are, I believe, somewhat less conservative than the bulk of the forum, that particular guardian writer does bring out the petty popularism in me to a degree I should not expand upon here.

Whoosh!

The journalist does none of the things you are accusing her of! I thought it a very good and interesting article, which clearly illustrates the danger and fear involved in the actual attacks, and then goes on to explore related issues.

I don't know whether or which of you has either very poor reading comprehension, or you are just keen to be offended.

She is explicit isn the introduction she is talking about two things -
(1) Why do the orcas do it? (Answer , nobody knows but there's lots of interesting ideas & theories to ponder); and
(2) Why has the story touched a social 'nerve', and become widespread - way beyond those boaters who might be affected - and generated numerous jokes (as it has done even on this forum) and memes. (Answer - because it taps into ideas and longings, including that 'nature is getting its own back against humanity', and mistaken prejudices like all boaters are super rich.)

At no point does she say that she is happy that they are actually attacking boats, she says she, and others, like the idea, the story, and much of the article is exploring why that might be.
e.g. "One very human-coloured notion is the idea that orcas aren’t just taking back the ocean but are somehow fomenting revolution, since the yachts they are ramming are so intimately associated with the ultra-wealthy."

She quotes in detail a Professor of Anthropology, who has a particular interest in how humans think about and respond to animals. (Not at all the sort of person you'd go to if you wanted to champion actual attacks on boats): '[Professor] King is frustrated that our response has been typified by the silliness of social media posts. “If people truly believe that this is about orcas responding to human harms, then why isn’t the response not just this jokey ‘orca uprising’?”

It strikes me that noelex, kevinV and Lake's posts above are just more social media silliness.

 

[LittleSister]

There's another interesting animal life article in the Guardian today, telling how crows and magpies are nicking anti-bird spikes to use in build their nests.
Crows and magpies using anti-bird spikes to build nests, researchers find

My theory is that orcas are biting off rudders for use in building their orca nests!

 

[RobbieW]

Whoosh!

The journalist does none of the things you are accusing her of! I thought it a very good and interesting article, which clearly illustrates the danger and fear involved in the actual attacks, and then goes on to explore related issues.

I don't know whether or which of you has either very poor reading comprehension, or you are just keen to be offended.

She is explicit she talking about two things -
(1) Why do the orcas do it? (Answer , nobody knows but there's lots of interesting ideas & theories to ponder); and
(2) Why has the story touched a social 'nerve', and become widespread - way beyond those boaters who might be affected - and generated numerous jokes (as it has done even on this forum) and memes. (Answer - because it taps into ideas and longings, including that 'nature is getting its own back against humanity', and mistaken prejudices like all boaters are super rich.)

At no point does she say that she is happy that they are actually attacking boats, she says she, and others, like the idea, the story, and much of the article is exploring why that might be.

One very human-coloured notion is the idea that orcas aren’t just taking back the ocean but are somehow fomenting revolution, since the yachts they are ramming are so intimately associated with the ultra-wealthy.

She quotes in detail a Professor of Anthropology, who has a particular interest in how humans think about and respond to animals. (Not at all the sort of person you'd go to if you wanted to champion actual attacks on boats): '[Professor] King is frustrated that our response has been typified by the silliness of social media posts. “If people truly believe that this is about orcas responding to human harms, then why isn’t the response not just this jokey ‘orca uprising’?”

It strikes me that noelex, kevinV and Lake's posts above are just more social media silliness.

I don't agree with your synopsis, perhaps the 'joke' needed an appropriate smiley

 

[laika]

At no point does she say that she is happy that they are actually attacking boats, she says she, and others, like the idea, the story, and much of the article is exploring why that might be.

The semantic difference between being pleased something is happening and liking the idea of something happening is indeed a little too subtle for me. I might have seen the distinction if it *wasn't* happening. But it is. Admittedly many of the tropes she includes are actually quotes she's selected from other people although "the yachts they are ramming are so intimately associated with the ultra-wealthy" seems to be entirely her own words.

I don't know whether you're reading this as a standalone article or are familiar with Ms. Beddington's other writings for the Graun. Let's just say I'm not a fan of anyone who apparently justifies the prejudices of white van man.

 

[LittleSister]

The semantic difference between being pleased something is happening and liking the idea of something happening is indeed a little too subtle for me. I might have seen the distinction if it *wasn't* happening. But it is. Admittedly many of the tropes she includes are actually quotes she's selected from other people although "the yachts they are ramming are so intimately associated with the ultra-wealthy" seems to be entirely her own words.

I don't know whether you're reading this as a standalone article or are familiar with Ms. Beddington's other writings for the Graun. Let's just say I'm not a fan of anyone who apparently justifies the prejudices of white van man.

I'm not familiar with her other writing, but it seems plain as day to me that in this case she's not justifying prejudices, but talking about the fact they're out there. that's what most of the article is about.

Look at it the other way around, boating and orca fancying are minority interests. Why has this story aroused the interest - and joke meme and production - of many people who have little knowledge or interest in either?

 

[KevinV]

Whoosh!

The journalist does none of the things you are accusing her of! I thought it a very good and interesting article, which clearly illustrates the danger and fear involved in the actual attacks, and then goes on to explore related issues.

I don't know whether or which of you has either very poor reading comprehension, or you are just keen to be offended.

She is explicit isn the introduction she is talking about two things -
(1) Why do the orcas do it? (Answer , nobody knows but there's lots of interesting ideas & theories to ponder); and
(2) Why has the story touched a social 'nerve', and become widespread - way beyond those boaters who might be affected - and generated numerous jokes (as it has done even on this forum) and memes. (Answer - because it taps into ideas and longings, including that 'nature is getting its own back against humanity', and mistaken prejudices like all boaters are super rich.)

At no point does she say that she is happy that they are actually attacking boats, she says she, and others, like the idea, the story, and much of the article is exploring why that might be.
e.g. "One very human-coloured notion is the idea that orcas aren’t just taking back the ocean but are somehow fomenting revolution, since the yachts they are ramming are so intimately associated with the ultra-wealthy."

She quotes in detail a Professor of Anthropology, who has a particular interest in how humans think about and respond to animals. (Not at all the sort of person you'd go to if you wanted to champion actual attacks on boats): '[Professor] King is frustrated that our response has been typified by the silliness of social media posts. “If people truly believe that this is about orcas responding to human harms, then why isn’t the response not just this jokey ‘orca uprising’?”

It strikes me that noelex, kevinV and Lake's posts above are just more social media silliness.

Underlining the words story and idea makes a huge difference to the statement she makes - "story" as in a tale we tell each other, and "story" as in the facts as reported, are conflated in journalism. If she'd used the word "narrative" (and "concept" instead of "idea") I could agree with your reading happily enough - as it stands she is just a bit too gleeful about it all for me. At some point somebody (or something) is going to get hurt in these interactions - I don't think glee has any place in discussing it.

 

[Wansworth]

Certainly the Robertson family might not have seen the more subtile side……..

 

[webcraft]

Or preferably a link to a shop in Huelva or Ayamonte which sells them? Asking for a friend of course

Not available in Ayamonte, but a very nice young guy in Ayamar Nautico helped a friend of mine out

- W

 

[webcraft]

I have emailed Ms Beddington thusly:

###########################################################
Dear Ms Beddington,

I am writing to complain in the strongest possible terms about your ill-informed piece on Iberian orca behaviour and interaction with sailing vessels.

In particular, I object to your ludicrous comment "people – including me – love the idea of orcas attacking boats"

I spend a substantial portion of the year living on a small boat in the Algarve. The boat cost me £3,500 and a huge amount of work, and is home to me and my partner when we are there. Many more couples and families with young children live aboard permanently, having no other home and no other possessions apart from those on the boat. Your claim that "the yachts they are ramming are so intimately associated with the ultra-wealthy" could not be further from the truth.

Shame on you. What will you have to say when a yacht is sunk and a child is lost?

###########################################################

PM me if you want her email address.

- W

 

[laika]

I'm not familiar with her other writing, but it seems plain as day to me that in this case she's not justifying prejudices, but talking about the fact they're out there. that's what most of the article is about.

Perhaps our different views on this are context based. I will argue that ms beddington tends to write for a knowing demographic who share her social situation and views. This article was far more interesting than her normal output. “Prejudices” don’t need to be justified because they’re a commonly recognised trope among the target audience.

TL;DR it would be a valid criticism to note that what I regard as “context” may also be seen as “prejudice” on my part. In my defence you can see how the “kill the rich” theme plays well with the below the line commenters in the same way that a piece containing the line “I love the idea of orcas attacking migrant boats” might work in the mail.

[EDIT Some hours later] : Oh I just noticed that we've had some confusion: you misinterpreted my "justifies the prejudices of white van man" and I misinterpreted your response. The prejudices I was talking about are nothing to do with killer whales. I meant that in "Divided Britain" I'm disappointed when people on one side of the divide confirm the stereotypes held by other side (if you take my meaning)