Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / ENGLAND
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

11:11 GMT, Monday, 18 August 2008 12:11 UK

More dangerous jellyfish wash up

Portuguese man-of-war found in Dorset (Pic:  Wildlife Trusts/PA)

Nine potentially dangerous Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish have been washed up on the West Sussex coast.

The creatures, which can give a nasty sting, were found on beaches at Bracklesham Bay, East Wittering, West Wittering and Selsey.

People have been urged not to swim in the sea or touch the jellyfish, which usually live in tropical waters.

About 14 Portuguese man-of-war were washed up in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Wight last week.

It is thought that strong winds have blown the jellyfish on to the West Sussex coast.

'No bathing signs'

A spokesman for Chichester District Council said: "We don't want local residents or visitors to panic, we just want people to be vigilant.

"The first Portuguese man-of-war was found last night by our foreshores team and a further eight cases have been found today.

"Since this has happened, we have informed local hospitals, the harbour master and the West Wittering estate, and have displayed no bathing signs.

"Our foreshores team is also closely monitoring all of our beaches in case further creatures appear."

A man-of-war is made up of a colony of creatures to form one jellyfish.

The long tentacles can grow up to 165ft (50m) and hang from a balloon-like float resting on the surface.

Man-of-war colonies are usually found in the Florida Keys and off the Atlantic coast, the Gulf Stream, the Gulf of Mexico, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Dangerous jellyfish on rise in UK (13 Aug 08 |  England )
Third man-of-war jellyfish found (11 Aug 08 |  Dorset )
Rare jellyfish is spotted in cove (07 Aug 08 |  Devon )
Jellyfish warning to beachgoers (21 Aug 07 |  Cornwall )
Millions of sea creatures wash up (09 Dec 06 |  Cornwall )
Jelly creatures go further north (28 Nov 06 |  North West Wales )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Marine Conservation Society
Dorset Wildlife Trust
The Wildlife Trusts
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©