As many parts of the country are still dealing with the aftermath of Storm Desmond, a somewhat unusual consequence of the storm has been noted in the South of England. Hundreds of strange-looking jellyfish have been washed up on beaches along the south coast, brought in on the swelling tides that destructive Desmond created.
The jellyfish, known as Velella velella or by-the-wind sailors, have a sail that carries them across oceans and often appear washed up after strong gales and storms. This is the first time in over ten years that these jellyfish have arrived in such huge numbers, however, with their dark colouring giving the beaches a blue-coloured hue.
Velella velella are actually from the same family as the deadly Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish; therefore, it is hardly surprising that the arrival of these swarms of creatures has been causing beach strollers to panic. Fortunately, Velella velella are not in the same league as their deadlier cousins − at worst, you will get a mild sting from them.
As weather patterns become more unpredictable and storms become more common, however, experts believe that the risk of finding other types of jellyfish and marine animals washed up on beaches after very gusty winds will increase. Some of these may even be dangerous and if Velella velella show up, who is to say that the Portuguese man o’ war species won’t put in an appearance?
If you enjoy a stroll on the beach, not only should you make sure you know your tide times but also you should always remain vigilant in case you spot a creature, such as jellyfish, that has been washed up by strong winds. If you are not sure what you are dealing with, it is not easy to know whether the creature is harmful.
