• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Spain Warns of New Jellyfish Invasion

Posted on: Tuesday, 8 August 2006, 21:00 CDT

MADRID, Spain - Spanish authorities Tuesday warned of a massive invasion of jellyfish along the country's eastern coast over the coming days and advised bathers on the best ways to treat stings.

Over the past month, swarms of jellyfish have plagued many coastal areas stretching from the northeastern region of Catalonia and down to Murcia and Andalucia in the south, leading to temporary bans on bathing on many beaches.

The latest alert, posted on the Interior Ministry's Web site, was issued after coastal guards said they spotted new banks of jelly fish several miles off different areas along the coast in recent days.

Environment Minister Cristina Narbona said Tuesday the increase was due to rise in water temperatures and pollution of the sea. Ecologists blame the increase on a decline in natural predators such as tuna fish and turtles in the affected areas as well as an increase in plankton owing to the sweltering summer temperatures.

The Spanish Red Cross has reported treating some 12,500 people for stings in Catalonia alone so far this summer.

Along with the usual green, yellow and red flags advising on how safe it is to swim at beaches, Red Cross posts have also begun flying white flags with jellyfish drawings on them to warn bathers.

The Civil Protection alert on Tuesday urged people to treat stings only with salty water and not to rub the affected area of the body so as to prevent a spreading of the poison.

Spain's eastern and southern coasts are among the most popular tourist destinations in Europe during the summer months.

Source: Associated Press/AP Online

More News in this Category