Staff Reporter
TOURISTS in Spain have been warned as a spate of painful poisonings have been taking place on the country’s beaches.
Over 700 people have been stung so far this summer by the venomous spider fish, also known as the scorpion fish or faneca.
The danger lies in the fish’s venomous dorsal fin.
When stepped on, it releases a toxin that can cause severe pain, potentially leading to unconsciousness. Victims often experience stinging and swelling at the sting site, vomiting, fever, and respiratory issues.
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This summer the Galician community has been particularly affected, with Sanxenxo reporting the most stings.
Last summer, this same location saw 1,700 stings. It’s also present in beaches along the Costa de la Luz, Cadiz.
It is less common in the Mediterranean but is known to be present in well-known beaches in the Costa del Sol including Playa de la Malagueta in Málaga, Playa de la Carihuela in Torremolinos, and Playa de la Rada in Estepona.
Also beware in the Costa Blanca beaches of Playa de Levante in Benidorm, Playa de San Juan in Alicante, and the beaches around Torrevieja.
In the Costa Brava you can find them in popular beaches such as Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, and Platja d’Aro, which might see the occasional presence of spider fish due to their sandy and rocky seabeds.
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To minimise risk, beachgoers are advised to take care and keep an eye out for the telltale fins.
If stung, it is crucial to exit the water immediately to avoid the risk of drowning due to dizziness.
Following these steps can also help: carefully remove any remaining spines without applying pressure, gently clean the affected area with seawater, monitor symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
The spider fish tends to move closer to shore during the summer months in search of food. Low tides and high temperatures contribute to this increased activity near the beaches.
While primarily found in the Atlantic waters around Galicia, the spider fish is also present in the Mediterranean, making it a widespread concern for beachgoers across Spain.
These are not ‘spider’ fish (translated from the Spanish word), they are Weever fish (2 species – Greater and Lesser Weever (Trachinus draco or (Echiichthys vipera).
Prevention: shuffle your feet when entering the water or walking out, as this disturbs them and you’ll avoid stepping onto their venomous dorsal fin.