Fried egg jellyfish

John Ensor ularly, to prevent dryness.

SPANISH authorities have warned about a distinct type of jellyfish that is becoming increasingly common along its coastline and beaches.

As the name suggests they look very similar to a fried egg and experts warn their appearance is becoming more frequent around Spain, according to a news source on Saturday, July 1.

Judith Borland, director of Specsavers Ópticas in Fuengirola said: “Good eyesight is one of the most basic requirements of safe driving. It means drivers will be able to spot potential dangers, see pedestrians and other vehicles, read road signs and judge speed, distance and movement.

Before you take to the road this summer make sure you have an up­to­date eye test to ensure that you can see clearly on the road.”

There have been numerous warnings about sea creatures recently but this year there is an alert about this new type of jellyfish, which up until now has not populated the beaches of Spain in the same way.

With tourism being such an integral part of the Spanish economy, authorities are concerned about the proliferation of jellyfish. However, it is a wise move to get to know more about the ‘fried egg’ jellyfish and the area of Spain where they have arrived.

The term ‘fried egg jellyfish’ is used to describe the species Cotylorhiza tuberculata.

These jellyfish are characterised by their large size and their striking similarity to a fried egg, complete with thin tentacles.

It has been reported that many bathers have been alarmed by their presence in the Mar Menor area, near Cartagena, where they are seen daily and in great quantity. The good news for locals and tourists is that they are not dangerous to humans, since unlike other species, they do not have stinging tentacles.

However, they are increasingly becoming a nuisance to bathers due to large numbers of them. Experts put this down to a combination of factors, including higher sea temperatures due to climate change and the transparency of the sea which makes them more visible.