A large blanket was found on a beach in Llançà.

Manta rays are oceanic animals that live in the open sea and in tropical climates and usually measure about 3 meters in wingspan. Although a few years ago it was a very rare phenomenon, More and more giant manta rays are arriving on the Mediterranean coastsThis is baffling marine biologists, who are trying to figure out what these animals are doing in Catalonia, Valencia, and Murcia, and even in other countries, such as Italy and France. Civil Protection sources point out that the lifeguard ordered the swimmers to leave the water.

The presence of this manta ray did not close the beach, where the green flag is flying. In fact, many people remained in the water, just a few meters from the animal, while the Rural Agents examined it and removed it from the beach.

Another recent discovery was made on Tuesday on a beach in Mallorca, in El Arenal. The bathers, somewhat bewildered and frightened, shied away from the animal until the rescue team arrived. What are these animals doing on the coast? "We don't know what's happening," says Lluís Cardona, a doctor at the Biodiversity Research Institute of the University of Barcelona (UB). The biologist explains that these animals often wash up on the shore dead or in poor condition, but the cause is unknown. Through necropsies, experts are trying to determine the circumstances of the death, but "it's very difficult." "We can't rule out pathologies or an epidemic," explains Cardona, who also clarifies that they can be accidentally caught by fishing boats, as happens with other species.

Species that are not dangerous

They are increasingly found more giant manta rays on Mediterranean beaches, But their presence in the western Mediterranean has also increased. In the 19th century, it was a sporadic and rare animal, as it usually lives in tropical climates. However, climate change has warmed the waters and caused these animals to change their habitat. This was confirmed by a census carried out in 2023 on the Spanish Mediterranean, which shows that there are many more manta rays than before, as Cardona explains.

However, it is also important not to panic: the discovery of manta rays has created a kind of psychosis that has ended up generating fear of small species that normally live on Mediterranean beaches: "Bark rays or herrazas are very common, especially in the Balearic Islands, and they should not be confused."

At this point, a national working group has been created to investigate the causes and try to unravel the whys and wherefores of these discoveries, as well as to keep a record of how many manta rays arrive. Seven necropsies have been performed on these animals in Catalonia, all at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). For now, however, the arrival of the manta rays remains a mystery.