Jellyfish invasion hitting Spanish coast

Spanish authorities have warned of a massive invasion of jellyfish along the country’s eastern coast.

Over the past month, swarms of jellyfish have plagued many coastal 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 of the country have all been affected.

Environment Minister Cristina Narbona said today 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 summer temperatures.

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

Today’s alert 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.