Compostela, Nayarit — Civil Protection of Nayarit has announced the continued closure of two beaches to swimmers after the arrival of hundreds of moray eels. Purple beach flags have been placed along Guayabitos and Los Ayala beaches in the municipality of Compostela after 165 beachgoers were treated for bites.
Swimming and other water activities were finally closed to the public after authorities verified the arrival of the eels. The Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection made the decision to close both of the state’s popular beaches for water activities after video confirmed hundreds of moray eels in shallow waters.
The moray eels are believed to have arrived due to an increase in water temperature.
“Specialized biologists from the SSPC suggest that this phenomenon originates from changes in temperature in the sea or perhaps also from reproductive events between the species,” they reported in a statement.
Purple flags have been placed to warn beachgoers about the presence of the marine life. The General Directorate of Citizen Protection of Nayarit reported that 165 people have received pre-hospital care for bites.
