Unexpected closures occurred in 2025 in Spanish beaches due to the presence of large numbers of blue dragons (Glaucus atlanticus) along the Mediterranean coast. Small in size but with an explosive sting, these sea slugs are dangerous to human health, and have been causing some of these places to become restricted swimming areas.
What Are Blue Dragons?
- Small sea slugs, about 4 cm long.
- Swim in the sea on an air-bubble in his stomach.
- The topside camouflages are blue and water colored, but the underside is silver and blends with sunlight.
Feeding and Sting
- Eat poisonous jellyfishes, such as the Portuguese man o' war.
- Keep stinging cells in their appendages, and make their sting more painful than that of their prey.
- Stings on humans are very painful, swollen, nauseous, and vomitous, but non-lethal.
Why in Spain?
- Inhabit tropics of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
- Until recently uncommon in the Mediterranean.
- Scientists attribute their existence to warming of the sea water and high populations of jelly fish.
Impact on Tourism
- Guardamar del Segura, La Linea de la Concepcion and Lanzarote beaches were closed.
- The government banned swimming and advised against touching the animals.
Safety Advice
- Touch not blue dragons on land or on sea.
- Look at them afar; it is a natural warning the brightness of their colours.
- Education campaigns created within the society to inform beachgoers.
Broader Significance
Climate-related changes in the marine ecosystem are brought to the fore by the invasion. Increasing temperatures in the Mediterranean area allow tropical species to spread to broaden the local biodiversity and pose threats to human security.
Month: Current Affairs - September 03, 2025
Category: current affairs daily