Higher water temperature increases colorful fish population in Cap de Creus

The increase in water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea has led to the sighting of more Ornate wrasse fish in the northern area of Cap de Creus, a colorful fish breed. 

The breed is usually seen in warmer waters, and it was very typical to see it in the southern part of the Cap de Creus natural park, but very difficult to see in the Llançà, Port de la Selva, or Cadaqués areas.

"These last summers, which have been very warm, we have sighted several ornate wrasses, up to dozens, in several sites," the director of the natural park, Ponç Feliu, said.

The 'fadrí' in Catalan is a fish that "if you speak with older generations in Port de la Selva, they are not aware of what fish breed we are talking about, as it did not live in the area," biologist Eduard Marquès and researcher on the ornate wrasse, told the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

He added that "15 years ago, you could not see any ornate wrasse, it was quite extraordinary to find one."