The Asturian coast is witnessing an increased presence of Portuguese man-of-wars This summer, a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the scientific community and institutions focused on marine conservation. In this context, 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 last few weeks, various sandy beaches in the Principality, such as Salinas, San Juan de Nieva or Xagó, have recorded the arrival of several specimens of Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis)This increase in sightings has prompted a surge in research into the species' behavior and life cycle, which remains poorly understood to date despite its ecological importance and the threat it can pose to swimmers.
The Gijón Aquarium and the 'Physalia' project
Since July 21, the Aquarium has been home to the first live specimens of the Portuguese man-of-war 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 Bioparc Aquarium of Gijón is essential for the temporary conservation of organisms, providing suitable outdoor tanks and live food to try to increase the survival of these highly sensitive colonies outside their natural habitat. Thanks to this support, researchers can further observe and analyze the biology, movement methods, and distribution of these species throughout the Cantabrian Sea.
Why the Portuguese man-of-war is relevant to science
La Portuguese man-of-war is easily confused with jellyfish, although it is actually a colonial organism. Its striking coloring and the length of its tentacles make it unmistakable, but its The greatest danger lies in the intensely painful bites, capable of causing everything from simple skin irritations to more serious medical reactions, even after being stranded on the sand.
The life cycle and migration patterns of Physalia physalis They remain a scientific mystery. The fragility of these adult animals outside the open sea seriously hampers 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 collect previously unpublished data on the species.
Scientific collaboration and social commitment
The research not only has the involvement of the Aquarium and the Asturian entities mentioned, but also the participation of the University of Las Palmas’s most emblematic landmarks, the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN-CSIC) and other specialized centers in Spain and abroad. This is a clear example of the importance of the cooperation between institutions to address environmental challenges emerging and resolve growing concerns among citizens.
This type of initiatives fit fully with the Aquarium's mission to protect the oceans, promote environmental awareness and contribute useful knowledge to society. Facilitating access to live samples under safe conditions allows the social concern generated by the growing 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 species that have an impact on the balance of ecosystems and daily life on the Asturian coast.Its commitment to the scientific community and environmental conservation reinforces the center's role as a benchmark in the dissemination and protection of the local marine environment.