A three-metre bluefin tuna causes mass fish escape in Garrucha port

Hundreds of fish jumped out of the water in Garrucha port (Almería) while being chased by a three-metre bluefin tuna. The phenomenon, recorded and viral, has been explained by biologists.

A school of fish staged a stampede towards dry land in Garrucha port, Almería, when they were cornered by a bluefin tuna about three metres long that entered the dock close to the hull of a purse seiner. The scene, recorded by witnesses, has gone viral on social media and has been confirmed by the Fishermen's Brotherhood.

The predator's chase

The manager of the Fishermen's Brotherhood of Garrucha, Gregorio Gerez Zamora, explained that the tuna sought refuge in the port after fishing. Upon detecting the predator, the fish — a species similar to sardines — panicked and sped up their escape. The closed configuration of the inner dock prevented them from finding an exit, forcing them to jump onto the asphalt.

The mayor of Garrucha, Álvaro Ramos, admitted that upon seeing the images, he thought they were a montage made with artificial intelligence, given the unusual nature of the event. Both the town hall and the brotherhood dismissed any connection to chemical spills or pollution.

Precedents on the Andalusian coast

Marine biologists recall that similar episodes have already been recorded along the Andalusian coastline. In November 2023, a school of thousands of fish crowded against the rocks under the Balcony of Europe in Nerja due to a similar chase. In August 2024, another stranding occurred on Mezquitilla beach, between Algarrobo and Vélez-Málaga.

These phenomena, although extraordinary, respond to the survival strategy of small pelagics. The architecture of closed ports acts as a physical trap that limits escape routes, exacerbating the pressure from predators.

A temporary visitor

The bluefin tuna is expected to voluntarily leave the dock once the abundance of food at the moorings decreases. Local authorities and the fishing sector will maintain vigilance to confirm that the port ecosystem returns to normal.

For residents of the province of Málaga, this event in neighbouring Almería serves as a reminder that the marine wealth of the Mediterranean continues to bring surprises. Those who visited Nerja or Mezquitilla beach on the specified dates may recall seeing something similar.