The Asturian coast is experiencing a greater presence of Portuguese man-of-war this summer, a phenomenon that has attracted the attention of the scientific community and institutions focused on marine conservation. In this context, the Gijón Aquarium has decided to actively collaborate in the monitoring and analysis of these curious and dangerous marine organisms, within the framework of the 'Physalia' project.
Over the past few weeks, several Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis) jellyfish have been sighted on beaches in Asturias, including Salinas, San Juan de Nieva, and Xagó . This increase in sightings has prompted a renewed focus on research into the behavior and life cycle of this species, which remains poorly understood despite its ecological importance and the potential threat it poses to swimmers.
The Gijón Aquarium and the 'Physalia' project
Since July 21st, the Aquarium has been hosting the first live Portuguese man-of-war specimens collected from local beaches . This action is part of a study led by the University of Oviedo and the Gijón Oceanographic Center of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) , with the participation of other national and international entities, and funding from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
The contribution of the Bioparc Aquarium in Gijón is essential for the temporary conservation of these organisms, providing suitable outdoor tanks and live food to try to increase the survival rate of these highly delicate colonies outside their natural habitat. Thanks to this support, researchers can observe and analyze in greater depth the biology, movement patterns, and distribution of these species along the Cantabrian coast.
Why the Portuguese man-of-war is relevant to science
The Portuguese man-of-war is easily mistaken for a jellyfish , although it is actually a colonial organism. Its striking colors and the length of its tentacles make it unmistakable, but its greatest danger lies in its intensely painful stings , which can cause anything from simple skin irritation to more serious medical reactions, even after it has washed ashore.
The life cycle and migratory patterns of Physalia physalis remain a mystery to science. The fragility of these adult animals outside the open ocean seriously hinders their study, as they barely survive a few days in artificial conditions. The cooperation of the Gijón Aquarium is an important step forward, allowing scientists to conduct controlled experiments and gather unprecedented data on the species.
Scientific collaboration and social commitment
The research involves not only the Aquarium and the aforementioned Asturian entities, but also the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN-CSIC), and other specialized centers both within and outside of Spain. It clearly demonstrates the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in addressing emerging environmental challenges and resolving growing public concerns.
These types of initiatives align perfectly with the Aquarium's mission to protect the oceans, promote environmental awareness , and contribute useful knowledge to society. Facilitating access to live specimens under safe conditions allows the public concern generated by the increasing number of sightings to be translated into scientific progress and new tools for coastal management and beach safety.
The Gijón Aquarium's participation in the 'Physalia' project reflects the growing need for research on little-known but impactful species that affect the balance of ecosystems and daily life along the Asturian coast . Its commitment to the scientific community and environmental conservation reinforces the center's role as a leader in disseminating information and protecting the local marine environment.