An urgent alert has been issued in Spanish holiday resorts following the discovery of hundreds of poisonous “fireworms” in the sea.
The marine creature has spikes that can easily penetrate the skin and produce an intense burning irritation.
The sting can also lead to nausea and dizziness. Severe allergic reactions have also been reported, accompanied by blisters and rashes.
In more severe cases, a “fireworm” sting can lead to numbness in the limbs and even require medical treatment with cortisone.
According to experts, the “hermodice carunculata” is a growing threat in the waters of the Canary Islands, which include the popular British haunts of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.
The “fireworm” has been spotted nearly 220 times in the Canaries and its expansion is said to be generating concern about its effects on human health and the marine ecosystems as it feeds on corals and other invertebrates.
In addition to the Canary Islands, the fireworm has been detected in other coastal regions of the Mediterranean, such as Italy, Greece and southern France, as well as in some areas of the Atlantic, including Portugal.
Its presence has become more common in these areas, mainly due to factors such as warming waters and increased salinity, which have created a favourable environment for the proliferation of this species.
Experts say the decline in their natural predators has also contributed to their population increase.
The Canary Islands authorities, in collaboration with marine experts, have implemented measures to control the spread of the fireworm. These include water monitoring, cleaning of affected areas and awareness campaigns aimed at local bathers and fishermen to avoid contact with this organism.
The “fireworms” can reach 15 centimetres in length and are distinguished by their intense colours, ranging from red to green and dark brown.
The presence of the “fireworm” on the coast of Arucas, Gran Canaria, has forced the council to install posters warning bathers, according to Radio Televisión Canaria.
Last year their presence forced Agaete, in Gran Canaria, to raise the red flag on its beach.