Impact of jellyfish and other gelatinous organisms on the andalusian coast. implications for sun and beach tourism

Abstract

Sun-and-beach tourism is one of the most important economic activities in Andalusia (southern Spain). However, tourist beaches can be hazardous environments because of the occurrence of jellyfish blooms and other gelatinous organisms, such as occurs with Physalia physalis. Given the nature of the problem, we performed an integrated study on the impact of jellyfish blooms in the Andalusian coast: Firstly, we studied the perception of beach users and the local press about the occurrence of jellyfish; and, secondly, we analysed the spatial and temporal distribution of the jellyfish and other gelatinous organisms sightings by using Geographic Information Systems. The results show that beach users and local press perceive the spread of jellyfish as a problem of increasing importance. We found that the sightings of jellyfish blooms were concentrated in the summer season, and were more abundant in the Mediterranean Sea, between the provinces of Malaga and Granada. Pelagia noctiluca was the most sighted jellyfish and it was concentrated in the summer months. It was followed by Physalia physalis, a marine hydrozoan most abundant in spring and the Atlantic Ocean, although it also appears in the Mediterranean Sea, as a consequence of the strength of the Atlantic storms. We conclude that the research about of jellyfish blooms and other gelatinous organisms potentially hazardous for beach users is crucial for integrated coastal zone management in tourism areas.