‘Deadly’ Portuguese man-of-war are washed up on UK beaches
Potentially deadly Portuguese man-of-war have washed up on UK beaches and experts warn more could be ‘blown in’ from the Atlantic.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has received reports of the jellyfish-type creature being found on beaches in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles – the first reports it has had in four years.
Beachgoers have been warned not to touch its ‘tentacles’ as a sting can be ‘agonising’ and in some cases, deadly.
The creature is most commonly found in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Indian and Pacific oceans and the last significant reports of strandings in the UK were in 2009 and 2012.
A few weeks ago, there was a spate of strandings in Ireland and the most recent sightings have been in Portheras Cove, Penzance and Hayle.
MCS spokesman Peter Richardson told Sky News: "We don’t receive reports of Portuguese man-of-war every year, but when we do they can turn up in big numbers, usually around about this time of year.
"In the last couple of weeks we’ve received several confirmed reports of Portuguese man-of-war stranded on beaches around Cornwall and the Scilly Isles.
"With the earlier strandings in Ireland, these recent sightings could herald the arrival of more of the creatures as they get blown in from the Atlantic."
He added: "A stranded Portuguese man-of-war looks a bit like a deflating purple balloon with blue ribbons attached, children will find it fascinating.
"So if you’re visiting a Cornish beach this weekend, it’s well worth making sure you know what these animals look like and that no one picks them up."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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