Two rogue orcas are systematically clearing South Africa's coast of its great white sharks
In short: Port and Starboard, a pair of male orcas with distinctively collapsed dorsal fins, have transformed South African waters. By targeting the nutrient-rich livers of great white sharks with surgical precision, they have triggered a mass exodus of the region's apex predators, fundamentally altering local ecosystems and the tourism economy.
First documented near Lüderitz in 2009, the duo—named for the direction their dorsal fins collapse—belong to a unique flat-toothed ecotype. While orcas typically hunt marine mammals, Port and Starboard shifted their focus to sharks, a strategy that researchers believe may be more energy-efficient for these aging males. By ramming sharks to induce tonic immobility, a catatonic state, the orcas can safely expose the liver. This organ is highly prized for its dense concentration of lipids and calories, which are essential for maintaining the orcas' blubber.
The impact of their presence is stark. In False Bay, where great white sharks were once a constant, sightings had plummeted to nearly zero by 2020. The predation is not limited to great whites; the pair has been observed hunting copper sharks, ocean sunfish, and broadnose sevengill sharks. In one extreme instance in February 2023, the duo killed at least seventeen sevengill sharks in a single day. Their hunting prowess is so significant that even a single orca, as Starboard demonstrated in June 2023, is now capable of taking down a great white alone.
The disappearance of the great white sharks has created a ripple effect. As the primary predators of Cape fur seals, the sharks' absence disrupts the local food web. Furthermore, the loss of these sharks has crippled the shark cage diving industry and impacted media productions like the Air Jaws series. While factors such as commercial fishing and climate change also contribute to the sharks' departure, ecologist Salvador Jorgensen notes that the specific, persistent threat posed by Port and Starboard is unique. Unlike other orca pods that have visited the area, this pair’s specialized hunting behavior forces sharks to flee for months or even weeks at a time, leaving the coastal waters transformed.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Port and Starboard (orcas)
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