Spain making beaches jellyfish free

Spanish coastlines could be cleared of troublesome jellyfish soon after authorities launched a new campaign to study the marine invertebrates.

Some 200 volunteers have been drafted in to collect and study the jellyfish in the hopes of discovering what is attracting them to Spain's beaches.

Previous influxes have been put down to over-fishing of natural predators such as tuna and shellfish, as well as droughts which reduce the amount of cool freshwater flowing into the sea.

Holidaymakers heading to the Spanish coast will breathe a sigh of relief at the news that the Spanish environment ministry has so far hauled in eight tonnes of the sea creatures, although admits its work is only just beginning.

"A vigilance network has been created to detect banks of jellyfish and predict their possible arrival on beaches," the ministry said in a statement.

During one outbreak last summer at least the 30,000 people were stung by the creatures, though no serious injuries were reported as the species found off Spain's coasts are non-lethal and the sea creatures are more of a nuisance to beachgoers.

However, holidaymakers may have to get used to sharing their seas with the floating creatures, as marine biologists are warning that global warming is likely to increase the environmental conditions that jellyfish thrive in.