Portugese Man-of-War found on Cornish beach

Photo © Matthew Witt Today the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) are warning beach goers in the South West to be on the look out for potentially dangerous, jellyfish-like Portuguese Man-of-War, after one was found washed up on Porthmeor beach at St Ives on Monday.

A concerned member of the CWT Marine Strandings Volunteer Network found the animal washed up on the beach on Monday morning and immediately reported his finding, and then called MCS to report the animal to the MCS Jellyfish Survey. Later a biologist from the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus collected the animal from Porthmeor and confirmed its identity.

"The MCS national jellyfish survey has received about 5,000 UK jellyfish records since 2003, but this is only our sixth record of a Portuguese Man-of-War, so they seem to be relatively rare in our waters," said Peter Richardson, Species Policy Officer, "The onshore winds over the weekend will have blown it in from the ocean. It is quite possible that more may wash up on South West beaches as the winds persist."

The distinctive Portuguese Man-of-War is not in fact a jellyfish, but a floating colony of closely related animals called hydrozoans (small and plant-shaped, with a stalk and tentacles) that normally live at the surface of the open ocean. The colony floats from the bottom of an air-filled, pink, blue or purple float, which somewhat resembles an inflated condom, and has many long thin tentacles hanging below that it uses to catch fish and which inflict a very powerful sting. Human contact with the tentacles usually results in agonising stings that leave painful lesions and ulcerations. However, there are a few cases on record from different parts of the world where Portuguese Man-of-War stings have resulted in fatalities. Sting victims can suffer intense fever and anaphylactic shock, which can put swimmers and children in particular at risk.

"There is no need to panic about the arrival of this one animal, but beach users, especially those with families, really should be aware that these animals can present a serious threat and should report any sightings of them to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network hotline on 0845 201 2626", said Joana Doyle, CWT Marine Conservation Officer, "The CWT Standings Network has been alerted to this finding and our volunteers will be looking out for Portuguese Man-of-War on Cornish beaches over the next few days".

Recommended treatment for Man-of-War stings includes immediate removal of the tentacles and immersion of the affected areas in warm fresh water at 45°C for 20 minutes. Alternative recommendations include the application of an ice pack to the stings, but under no circumstance should vinegar be used on stings from this animal as this can make them worse. Anyone who is worried about a Portuguese Man-of-War sting should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

This unusual Portuguese Man-of-War record will be included by MCS in the analysis of the national jellyfish survey database later this year, carried out in collaboration with the University of Exeter's Centre for Ecology & Conservation. Anyone can take part in the MCS national jellyfish survey by downloading the full-colour MCS jellyfish photo-ID guide from www.mcsuk.org where jellyfish encounters can also be reported online. Alternatively, paper copies of the ID guide and recording forms are available on request from MCS on 01989 566017 or info@mcsuk.org. Anyone wishing to report a marine animal stranding on Cornish beaches should call the CWT 24hr Marine Strandings Network hotline on 0845 201 2626.