Fighting the "beast" - This time, a Croatian tunnel worker caught a giant manta ray

A large sea bass, which caused panic among swimmers on a beach, has likely died after being found dead several days later off the coast of Marbella, southern Spain. The incident took place on Saturday at El Ancón Beach, where swimmers were startled by the sudden appearance of a massive fish they initially mistook for a sea lion. The enormous fish, identified as a tuna, appeared unexpectedly near the shore, prompting swimmers to scream and flee from the water due to its size and unusual behavior. Local fishermen later explained that the tuna had likely entered the bay because it was injured, with a wound near its gill that was bleeding. Despite this injury, the fish made a determined effort to return to open waters. Footage of the event, shared by visitors on social media, quickly went viral online. The videos show the massive fish writhing in shallow water and flailing its tail as it struggled to reach the sea. When the fish began to tire, several swimmers rushed to help, successfully guiding it back into the ocean. The unusual behavior of the tuna sparked further interest when approximately 500 meters offshore, the remains of a deceased fish of the same species were discovered a few days later. It is still unclear whether these remains belong to the same individual or another tuna. Local fishermen noted that tuna rarely approach shores and typically avoid areas with many swimmers, making this incident particularly rare, especially given the fish's injuries and struggle to return to the open sea. In a separate account, a Croatian tuna fisherman named Roca described his encounter with a giant manta ray, which he managed to catch without harming the animal. After an exhausting battle lasting over an hour, Roca released the manta back into the sea. He emphasized the importance of preserving such protected species, noting their presence in the Adriatic Sea for centuries and highlighting the increased number of mantas around Žirje this year. Mantas, known as sea devils, are massive creatures that can measure up to seven meters in width and weigh more than two tons. They have large, flat heads, two triangular pectoral fins, and a long, thin tail. Typically found in warm, shallow waters, mantas feed on small crustaceans and plankton. Roca recounted a similar extraordinary experience last year in the same area near Žirje, where he encountered a scene reminiscent of a movie. He caught a tuna weighing approximately 30 kilograms, but while retrieving it from the sea, a shark attacked, nearly splitting the tuna in half. Instead of fleeing with the prey, the shark circled Roca’s boat, Bakul, and seemingly targeted him. Despite their imposing appearance, mantas are not dangerous to humans. Known for their calm nature, they exclusively feed on plankton and small fish, lacking the venomous stingers found in some other marine animals. Mantas usually swim past divers without incident. The status of a species like the manta as protected means that hunting, trading, or intentionally disturbing them is legally prohibited or strictly regulated by national and international laws. The protection aims to prevent extinction due to overfishing, habitat destruction, or pollution. Protected species often play crucial roles in ecosystems, contributing to the stability and health of entire marine biodiversity.