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20 so far this spring: Experts confused over unusual manta ray strandings on Spanish beaches
Experts are investigating why these endangered marine animals are turning up dead along the Mediterranean coast in such high numbers
Marine biologists and conservationists are expressing growing concern over an unusually high number of manta ray strandings this spring along Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Twenty specimens of Mobula mobular, a species classified as endangered, have been found beached in Catalonia, Valencia, Andalucía and the Balearic Islands.
While manta rays and sharks are known to inhabit Mediterranean waters, experts say the number of strandings this year is highly abnormal.
“Last year we located a female on the beach of Calafell (Tarragona), who died after giving birth to a calf that reached the water,” explained Claudio Barría, a shark and ray expert with the IUCN and director of Catsharks, a group focused on the conservation of elasmobranchs and their ecosystems.
In response to the alarming trend, researchers and marine organisations have formed a dedicated working group to investigate. According to a statement from the group, there is currently no single explanation, and they believe the strandings are the result of multiple contributing factors.
Pathological and environmental studies are now under way, with the aim of identifying what might be pushing these creatures towards the shore, and ultimately to their deaths.
In Catalonia, all recorded strandings have involved female manta rays. One leading theory is that they are coming inshore to give birth and becoming distressed, possibly resulting in stranding. As Barría notes, “The species cannot survive out of the sea, because it is an animal that gets oxygen by filtering water through its mouth and gills.”
Although sightings of manta rays have increased in recent years across both the mainland and islands of the Spanish Mediterranean, researchers are cautious about interpreting this trend.
“The fact that a species is growing is no reason for there to be more strandings. They should live in the sea without any problems,” Barría adds.
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Montse Pal of the Centro de Recuperación de Animales Marinos del Mediterráneo (CRAM) confirmed a similar uptick in incidents.
“Last year we only attended to one, while this year we’ve had four females and we haven’t managed to save any of them. We’ve seen more, but they haven’t managed to run aground,” she said.
Pal stressed the importance of ongoing scientific efforts. “We don't know what is happening, which is why it is so important to share the findings, collect as much data as possible, carry out the necropsies and have the scientific world analyse all the samples,” she said.
CRAM has been operating for 25 years, during which time it has returned more than 800 turtles to the sea and cared for over 350 dolphins.
Specialists are urging the public to notify emergency services immediately by dialling 112 if a manta ray is seen near the shore. Early intervention may help prevent further loss.
Authorities also warn against handling or attempting to return stranded animals to the water, as this can cause additional stress. Maintaining a safe distance while keeping them in sight is strongly advised.
Image: Catsharks/CRAM/Generalitat de Catalunya
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