Jellyfish – a recurring problem in every Mediterranean country – have been causing problems along the Côte d’Azur. It is reported that in one day, the emergency services received 500 calls for the stretch between Cannes and Nice alone. Local authorities have reacted by installing nets and in some cases “jellyfish hoovers”, boats equipped to remove them from the sea.
Jellyfish used to be a problem every eight years or so. However changes in the Mediterranean mean that they are now an almost annual fixture. Scientists are not sure why, claiming changes in the biosystem or an increase in the sea’s average temperature are responsible.
For people visiting the Mediterranean, remember to check for flags or signs on the beach before entering the water.