Creatures Being Discussed - The fireworm is moving along the Italian coastlines.
These sea creatures may resemble charming sea stars, but their bristly texture could cause significant discomfort: Fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) are now appearing along the Italian coast, potentially causing trouble for beachgoers this summer. The recent heat waves in the Mediterranean might've made these worms feel more comfortable in the waters off Italy and helped them multiply rapidly.
Southern coasts are the most impacted areas, including Sicily, Campania, Apulia, and Calabria. The National Institute for Oceanography and Geophysics (OGS) in Trieste has alerted residents and tourists about the sightings of these 30-centimeter-long sea stars. Michela D'Alessandro of the OGS told dpa that if people encounter these worms, they should avoid touching them at all costs and be cautious when entering the water.
No immediate threat to beachgoers
D'Alessandro stated that there's no immediate danger to beachgoers. While direct contact with the worm's bristles can indeed be dangerous if you're allergic to them, it's still a painful experience for everyone. When the bristles get in contact with your skin, they usually break off, making them difficult to remove. The bristles contain a neurotoxic solution, which results in burning, itching, and deafness. Rarely, people have also experienced dizziness and nausea.
The experts around D'Alessandro think the current widespread growth of these worms is due to the rising temperatures in the Mediterranean in recent years. Although these worms have been around for hundreds of years, they've become more noticeable since 2018. They've spread rapidly since then, especially after severe heat waves. Other factors that contribute to their spread during the summer months are the absence of predators.
A dilemma for fishing communities
The fireworms are predominantly found on the seabed, seagrass meadows, or occasionally in the sand. Aside from being a nuisance for beachgoers, they're also a challenge for fishermen: They tend to show up in large numbers in fishing nets and gear, making it difficult for fishermen to do their jobs. "Worms Out," a project headed by several Italian universities, was created to tackle this problem.
