Fire mat can also inject a vacationer in the Mediterranean

In Sicily, a pest worm is spreading in Italy, which eats fishermen’s catches and can also harm the person. According to researchers interviewed by YLE, the main reason for the phenomenon is climate change.

The worm has hair in the body with a burning nerve poison. A more sensitive person can even get in touch with respiratory symptoms.

Fire mat was previously rarely found in southern Italy. Now it is increasing uncontrollably, powering new areas and damaging the sea irreversibly.

The reason is climate change. Fire mat is at home in almost tropical waters – just in the way the Mediterranean is slowly developing.

Yle visited the island of Ustica, where fire mat has spread badly. In this story, Sicilian experts tell us what consequences the species has.

*The photo below was taken on the island of Ustica in Italy in October 2024. Fishermen found their net full of fireplace on their morning fishing trip.*

Italians are increasingly concerned about pest species.

Already in the summer of 2023, Yle announced a blue -lick, which has destroyed a significant number of Adriatic mussels near Venice.

– It is a prey that eats live and dead animals and sticks to fishermen’s nets and other fishing utensils.

A worm that grows to 15-30 centimeters can quickly destroy almost the entire prey.

People can also be alert.

If you have to deal with the worm, the delicate hairs in its tassels will easily get stuck in the skin. Often you can survive with nasty skin symptoms, but even more respiratory problems can be experienced, Tiralongo says.

Symptoms are caused by a nerve -fired poison spread by the worm.

– One fisherman recently became blinded by half a day when he was inadvertently contacted with the light hair that was caught in the grid.

*The map below shows the spread of firemallow in 2020. Since then, the species has increased, especially in southern Italy. In Middle Italy, it has been found to some extent, only a little in the north.*

It moves to the surface layers mainly when catching sea animals. So it is more of a threat to fishermen than for visitors to tourists favored by tourists.

– I don’t consider this a very alarming threat to tourism. But yes, it can come, especially on the nature beaches.

Already last summer, Madon’s bite took several tourists to the hospital in March Central Italy.

The worm may well spread more and wider as the sea warming does not end.

*Bearded Fire Mato (Latin Hermodice Carunculata) photographed on the island of Ustica in Italy in August 2024:*

There have been devastating wildfires and a screaming water shortage in the countries of the area.

Last year, exceptional readings, 30 degrees, were measured along the Egypt coast.

Climate change causes not only changes in species in the ocean, but also storms and other extreme phenomena.

Last summer, the water column sank a luxury hunt in Porticell in Sicily. Seven travelers died in the accident. Water column is a columnar -shaped vortex that is born over the high temperature of the water.

The sensitive ecosystem of the Mediterranean is already severely damaged, environmental organizations say.

Warming of water has caused a scary phenomenon: corals around the island have begun to whiten and starve to death.

Corals are vital. They produce food for other species and protect them and the beach from erosion and devastating weather phenomena.

Global warming is changing the whole of Sicily. The island is becoming tropical. Already in 2022, Yle reported how mangoes, avocados and even coffee beans are growing in Sicily.

Geloso wants to be hopeful in the midst of changes. Corals are sometimes able to recover in tropical waters.

– But if the heat goes on for a long time, it may not work anymore.

The biggest guilty of the sea pollution and crisis is man.

Geloso has begun to talk to diving travelers arriving on the island about what everyone can do for the sea.

– Small things like not dripping garbage into the sea and using sun grease only with moderation.

A newly published study states that the disadvantages of sun -soluble sun grease may be much greater than thought. Fat chemicals can cause, among other things, coral whitening and problems with the breeding of fish species.

How worried about the diver who has observed for 30 years under the surface of the sea?

– I’m more worried about a person than nature. Nature has the ability to find a way to save, it also can sacrifice part of itself in order to continue life. But man has no ability.

*In addition to quoted, Sicilian marine biology Giulio Franzitta has been interviewed for the story.*