Spanish Oddities
Spring rain will keep jellyfish away from summer beaches in Spain
By h.b.
Jun 12, 2008 - 1:52 PM

The heavy rain seen along much of the Spanish coastline during the Spring will help to keep the banks of jellyfish away from the shore this summer.

That’s the opinion of Dacha Atienza from the Sciences of the Sea Instutute, CSIC, who told the El Mundo newspaper that the rain water would have reduced the saline content and density of the water close to the beach, and that this would act as a ‘physical barrier’ making it difficult for the jelly fish to approach bathers.

She said the number of jellyfish in total has nothing to do with whether it has rained or not, but the rain would help in keeping them offshore.

Last week the Spanish cabinet announced a so-called ‘Summer plan’ which tries to predict and limit the risks to the public over the summer period and a jellyfish detection plan is included as part of those measures.

(Environment story)