Jellyfish Invade Spanish Beaches Again

Once again jellyfish are invading the warm Mediterranean waters of Spain.

Spain's Mediterranean coast is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, and is also a well-known home to many kinds of jellyfish. This year, like last, the waters are seeing a large increase in numbers of jellyfish along the coastal areas, causing beach closures and leaving many to re-think their swimming destination.

In previous years, beaches along Catalonia, Valencia, and Almeria have had to be closed for days until the swarms of jellyfish diminish. Scientists blame par tof the problem on over-fishing. You see, Tuna and Turtles eat jellyfish, so when the tuna and other fish are taken out of the water, fewer are left to consume the jellies. Not only are fishermen part blame, global warming plays a part as well, according to a National Geographic report from last year.

"Jellyfish are drifting close to beaches more frequently as decreasing rainfall causes a drop in cooler, freshwater runoff from rivers - a natural barrier for the creatures," said Josep-Maria Gili (a Barcelona Institute of Sea Science marine biologist) in an Associated Press story on CBS News.

"The fact that jellyfish make it to the coast is a sign the sea is sending us about how badly we treat it," continued Gili. "It is like a symptom of how we have changed the sea more than we thought."

There is hope on the horizon, however! A project has been approved to target high-concentrated jellyfish areas, which include Catalonia and the Balearic islands in the Mediterranean. This project uses volunteers such as boaters and fishermen, to be on the lookout for schools of jellyfish. If they spot any near the beaches, they should call a toll-free number to authorities on land. Then the authorities will send out their staff boats to collect the jellyfish and dispose of them so they wont sting and hurt beach-goers and swimmers.

Many Spaniards are saying this project is pointless. Joaquin Such is a director of a marina in Altea, which is in Valencia. He stated in CBS News that he has been contacted to try to round up boat captains to specifically look out for jellyfish and report them. Such said the plan is a good idea, but doubts he can get more than 15 people to participate because it seems to be such a hassle.

Jellyfish invade many beaches during the warm months, not just Spain. Of all the jellyfish in the sea, the ones that are in the Mediterranean are not as large and harmful as the ones in the US. There are many worse and dangerous than these in Spain, but these will still sting and hurt nonetheless. Remember that even a freshly dead jellyfish can still sting.

Sources:

Associated Press, Spain seeks to counter jellyfish problem, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/08/ap/tech/main2906312.shtml

National Geographic, Jellyfish invasion puts sting on Europe beaches, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060818-jellyfish-spain.html