Save The Iberian Orca Campaign
Project Leader
See how WeWhale combines non-invasive research and sailor outreach to protect Europe’s most endangered orca population in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Partnership
Year
Location
Campaign Mission and Strategy
The Save The Iberian Orca Campaign is a conservation initiative dedicated to protecting the critically endangered Iberian orca population, Through regular patrols, field monitoring, non-invasive research and direct engagement with the sailing community, the campaign promotes peaceful coexistence between humans and orcas while gathering valuable information on the animals’ behaviour, movements and conservation needs.
PROJECT LEADER
Janek Andre
Janek Andre is the founder of WeWhale, a marine conservation organisation and responsible whale and dolphin watching operator working across the Strait of Gibraltar, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean. Originally from Germany and now based in southern Spain, Janek has dedicated recent years to the protection of cetaceans through a combination of field conservation, public education, scientific collaboration and innovative ecotourism.
He is also Co-Founder of the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation and serves as a Director of the Global Orca Charity.
Janek leads the Save The Iberian Orca Campaign, a long-term initiative focused on protecting one of the world’s most endangered orca populations through non-invasive research, sailor outreach, coexistence measures and public awareness. Under his leadership, the campaign has become the most active field-based efforts dedicated to the conservation of Iberian orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar.
A New Phase of Research and Support
In 2026, the campaign entered a new phase after the Spanish Ministry granted official permits for the Association of WeWhale to conduct Photo-ID, behavioural and acoustic studies with Iberian orcas. Supported by Ocean Blue Tree, the campaign combines non-invasive research, conflict prevention, education and public outreach to help secure a future for one of Europe’s most endangered marine mammal populations.
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