- Temporary closures and red flags in Cádiz, Alicante, and Lanzarote due to blue dragon sightings.
- The Glaucus atlanticus is a pelagic nudibranch that floats upside down and can cause painful stings.
- Its arrival is linked to warmer currents, winds, and waters, in addition to the proliferation of Portuguese man-of-wars.
- In case of contact: Do not rub, wash with seawater, remove debris with tweezers, apply cold locally, and seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
The presence of blue Dragon at different points along the coast has forced the activation temporary closures and surveillance measures on several Spanish beaches. This small nudibranch, barely three to four centimeters, may cause intense bites if handled or comes into contact with the skin.
Coastal authorities have confirmed sightings in areas of Andalusia, the Valencian Community, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, with protocols that include hoisting Red flag, warning signs and preventive patrols. Although they do not usually approach the coast of their own volition, currents and winds facilitate their arrival at the shore.
Confirmed sightings and affected beaches
En La Línea de la Concepción (Cádiz), the beach of Santa Barbara banned bathing after locating six copies, and later reopened with yellow flag and reinforced surveillance. The measure was adopted by to maximise security and your enjoyment. of bathers and rescue personnel.
The alert was extended to the surrounding area with controls in Torreguadiaro (San Roque) and reinforcement of surveillance in Gibraltar, whose Department of Environment urged the population to Do not touch to the animals and to report any findings to the relevant services.
At Valencian Community, Guardamar del Segura (Alicante) raised the Red flag on all its beaches after being detected two blue dragons in the Vivers beachThe protocol included public announcements and prevention rounds; the reopening arrived hours later as no new specimens were found.
Also in Valencia, Canet d'en Berenguer (Racó de Mar) activated warnings after locating a copy, asking take extreme precautions and avoid any direct contact, even with gloves.
En Canary Islands, the beach of Famara (Lanzarote) temporarily closed after the discovery of six individuals, And in Gran Canaria There were previous episodes that motivated Civil Protection noticesThey are apparitions punctual which are usually resolved in a short time.
En Balearics, observations have been documented in Mallorca, a striking landmark for its character infrequent in the archipelago. Naturalists and marine personnel warn that the specimens usually appear in small groups pushed by the wind.
What is the blue dragon (Glaucus atlanticus)
El blue Dragon is a pelagic nudibranch that lives in high seas and floats upside down thanks to a gas bubble inside. This strategy allows you to navigate at the mercy of the wind and surface currents.
Its size is around 3-4 cm, with colorations blue and silver and some branched appendages called cerataIn these structures it stores stinging cells captured from its prey for its defense.
Dual coloring offers you a effective camouflage: from above it blends with the tone of the sea and, from below, with the sky light. That's why it can go unnoticed even in clear waters.
Its distribution is expands in the oceans Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, especially in regions temperate and tropicalIn the Mediterranean its presence is sporadic, but can travel long distances driven by atmospheric conditions.
Why is it reaching Spanish shores now?
Experts relate these episodes to a rising sea temperature and with the greatest presence of temperate waters during prolonged summer periods. These conditions favor the arrival of species typical of warmer latitudes.
Also, the blue dragon is a great involuntary traveler: The winds, waves and currents move it towards the coast, where it can remain stranded in intertidal pools or on the shore itself.
His diet includes siphonophores and Portuguese caravel and organisms of the type Velella, so that an increase in these prey can also attract it to our waters.
In most cases, the detected groups are reduced and temporary, so restrictions are lifted when no more individuals are observed during inspections.
Toxicity, sting and how to act
Although it is not an animal aggressive, direct contact may cause a very painful biteThe blue dragon takes advantage of the stinging cells of the jellyfish it ingests and concentrates them in its cerata.
This mechanism can cause intense burning, redness, inflammation and, in sensitive people, nausea or vomitingAllergic reactions are possible and require mass surveillance.
TO No. do: avoid rub the area, do not use sweet water ni vinegar, and not apply direct ice on the skin. These practices can worsen the reaction.
TO yes to do: clean with seawater or saline solution, remove any remaining residue with tweezers or a rigid card, apply local cold (cold cloths) and go to a medical Center if pain or inflammation persists.
- Do not touch the animal, whether alive or stranded.
- Wash the area with saltwater, never sweet.
- remove remains with tweezers/card, without using your fingers.
- Apply local cold y Supervise the evolution.
- Search healthcare in the event of intense or allergic symptoms.
Protocols and recommendations on beaches
City councils and rescue teams activate red flags o yellow, reinforce the mass surveillance and place announcements when the presence of specimens is confirmed. These measures seek to minimize the risk for bathers and staff.
If you find a blue dragon, the recommendation is do not manipulate it, not even with gloves, and immediately report the sighting to lifeguards or Local Police for its safe removal.
Families with children and people with allergies should take extreme care caution and avoid picking up stranded marine animals. It is also recommended to prevent Pets sniff or ingest remains in the orilla.
In recent cases (Cádiz, Alicante, Lanzarote and other places), the beaches have reopened Once the presence of more individuals in the rounds has been ruled out, inspection.
Biology and reproduction of this nudibranch
The blue dragon is hermaphrodite, so both individuals exchange reproductive material during mating. It has a copulatory apparatus proportionally long which facilitates copulation on the surface.
After mating, you can lay eggs from among 10 and 30 eggs, sometimes attached to prey or floating debris. Its development is relatively Speed.
Its buoyancy depends on a gas bubble that keeps it adrift, which explains why it appears in such a way occasional on coasts far from their optimal habitat.
They are excellent travelers long distances: they can travel thousands of kilometers following the prevailing wind and the surface currents of the ocean.
With this summer's sightings and the punctual closures of beaches, the Spanish coast overlooks a natural phenomenon where they converge environmental changes, dynamics of currents and marine biodiversity. Identify it, do not touch it and follow the indications of the lifeguards are the keys to enjoying swimming safely while the authorities carry out the pursuit and lift restrictions where appropriate.