Overview

• Authorities briefly closed the municipality’s seven-mile (about 11 km) coastline on Wednesday after two Glaucus atlanticus were found on Vivers Beach.
• On Thursday the mayor ended the special surveillance operation and switched the beaches to yellow flags, allowing bathing with caution.
• Lifeguards and local police continue monitoring and urge the public not to touch the animals — not even with gloves — and to notify authorities if seen.
• Official guidance for stings is to rinse the area with salt water and seek medical attention, as symptoms can include pain, nausea, vomiting and skin reactions.
• Glaucus atlanticus preys on Portuguese man o’ war and stores their stinging cells, making contact hazardous; the species is rare in the Mediterranean and can wash ashore on currents and wind.