At dawn on the Gandia coast, Domingo Ciurana and Ramón Campillo set out aboard the Iceberg Uno, wearing gloves and face shields, with a first-aid kit aboard. Their mission is to intercept jellyfish before they reach crowded beaches. In one morning, they hauled in 600 kilos, part of the 4,320 kilos collected during July 2026, information from the local fishermen’s guild.
The operation is part of a municipal agreement between Gandia’s city council and the fishing cofradía, designed to reduce jellyfish encounters for swimmers and support a shrinking local fleet. The fishermen work from 7:00 to 11:00, covering the stretch from Marenys de Rafalcaid to l’Auir, about 500 meters offshore to avoid interfering with bathers. Using long-handled baskets, they scoop up the gelatinous creatures, which can still sting even after drying in the sun back at port.
Longer Season, Bigger Jellyfish
Ciurana and Campillo have noticed a shift: jellyfish that once disappeared by October now linger near Gandia until December, and some are larger than in previous years. Their observations come amid unusually warm regional waters. The Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB) put the western Mediterranean’s mean sea-surface temperature at 26.87°C for July to September 2026, 2.85°C above its 1982 to 2015 average. AEMET analysis cited by Newtral found western Mediterranean surface temperatures about 2.5°C above the 1991 to 2020 average during a three-week period in early October; Copernicus-based mapping also showed parts of the western and basic Mediterranean 2 to 4°C above normal on 11 October. These regional temperature readings provide climate context, but do not establish that warming alone caused Gandia’s jellyfish numbers, size or season length. The Ministry for Ecological Transition notes that abundance varies annually and depends on rainfall as well as wind and current patterns.
Fewer Boats, Same Challenge
With fewer fishing boats available, the cofradía has reduced its jellyfish collection outings from four to two per week, focusing on weekends. Despite this, the total catch remains high, thanks to the dedication of those still participating. Carmen Argudo, president of the guild, acknowledges the growing difficulty of maintaining coverage as the fleet shrinks. The city’s support is impressive: in November 2025, Gandia approved a €26,500 direct subsidy for the cofradía, covering annual activities including jellyfish removal. Although the figure dates to last year, it reflects the ongoing commitment to keeping beaches safer and supporting local fishermen.
Impact on Fishing and Public Safety
Jellyfish swarms threaten swimmers and complicate fishing. Nets become clogged, and some boats are forced to operate farther from shore to avoid entanglements with species such as cuttlefish and gilt-head bream. The annual open-water swim from the port, scheduled for August 15, will avoid the breakwater this year after stings marred the previous edition. The Ministry for Ecological Transition says jellyfish can damage fishing gear and compete with commercial species for food, though natural predators such as turtles and migratory fish help keep populations in check.
Authorities advise against entering the water during jellyfish blooms and recommend consulting lifeguards before swimming. Contact with dead jellyfish or fragments should be avoided. Treat stings with seawater and cold packs, not fresh water. Ammonia is also unsuitable, as are vinegar and urine. Medical attention is advised for symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting or muscle cramps.
As Gandia’s fishermen adapt to changing conditions, their efforts reflect broader challenges facing Mediterranean communities. Recently, a stag’s return to Linarejos after relocation also highlighted the unpredictable ways nature responds to human intervention.
