Tourists get warning as jellyfish numbers explode

TOURISTS heading for the beaches of Spain this month should watch out. The authorities have warned that a massive invasion of jellyfish on the country’s east coast.

Over the past month, swarms of jellyfish have plagued many areas leading to temporary bans on bathing on many beaches.

The latest alert, posted on the interior ministry’s website, was issued after coastguards said they spotted new banks of jellyfish several miles off various points along the coast in recent days.

Catalonia in the north and Murcia and Andalucia in the south have all been affected. The area hit includes some of the most popular areas for international visitors, such as Barcelona, the Costa del Sol, Malaga and Marbella Spain’s eastern and southern coasts are among the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

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

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

The alert urged people to treat stings only with salty water and not to rub the affected area of the body, to prevent a spreading of the poison.