Deadly Portuguese Men O’ War Washing Up On Eastern Coastline Beaches

Deadly marine animals are making their presence felt on Eastern shorelines of the United States and Canada these past few summers. After a rash of shark attacks in North Carolina a few years ago, now comes warning to be on the lookout for Portuguese men o’ war, after several have washed up on beaches along the Eastern coastline, including the beaches of North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey and even as far north as Nova Scotia.

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A lifeguard snapped a photo of this man-of-war, which washed up on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Credit: Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol

“They prefer tropical and subtropical waters, so they don’t usually end up in our waters unless it’s a windy, stormy summer,” said Bethany Nordstrom, a biology student at Dalhousie University in Canada, who is studying the jellyfish. “They’re very much affected by wind and tide and currents because they don’t have a way to move on their own…these guys just go by the wind.”

Higher winds have brought a higher than normal number of the men o’ war to Nova Scotia waters.

Beachgoers in Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC encountered at least six of the jellyfish-like creatures on shore. “They’re huge,” Max Williams, who vacationed there over a 4th of July weekend, and told NBC 12. “The jellyfish may look dead, but I still wouldn’t touch them.”

The deadly creature (technically not a jellyfish but a siphonophore) can still sting even when dead. The organisms have venomous tentacles that can grow as long as 30 feet, and its sting is far worse than what you’d get from jellyfish normally found along beaches.

Men o’ war have also washed up in Harvey Cedars, New Jersey, following the wash-ups of roughly a half dozen dangerous box jellyfish in northern Ocean County. Experts think the box jellies, which are extremely rare in New Jersey, may have ridden the Gulf Stream north and a storm may have steered them toward the Jersey Shore.

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Photo credit: Wikipedia

“People they need to be aware of their surroundings because these are going to be on the surface,” Paul Bologna, associate professor of biology at Montclair State University in New Jersey said. “You should be able to see that (purplish jellyfish) float if you’re in the water.”

Jellyfish sting with their tentacles. Although most jellyfish stings are not severe, man o’ wars can produce stings that can be life-threatening.

Contrary to popular belief, urine is not the best emergency remedy to counter the sting.

1. Look and listed for warnings. Beaches will post warning signs at the beach and on social media and lifeguards may warn swimmers in person.
2. Don’t touch.
3. Alert a lifeguard.
4. If you happen to be stung, don’t pee on it. It may actually make the sting worse, as will fresh water. The best thing to do is to seek medical attention immediately.

Portuguese Men O’ War are being spotted along eastern shorelines more frequently, most likely due to stormier summers and warmer water temperatures. Jelly fish swarms are actually quite common, although sightings of the Portuguese men o’ war are much rarer.

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