THEY have a balloon-like float, long blue tentacles and pack a powerful sting…
And, after an absence of several months, Portuguese man o’ war are again being seen on the Island’s shores.
Jersey Coastguard have reported some of the creatures washing up in St Ouen’s Bay and are urging Islanders not to touch one if they see them. Portuguese man o’ war are not a species of jellyfish and are instead classified as a siphonophore – an animal made up of a colony of organisms working together.
They do not propel themselves and are instead pushed along by the wind.
Although only a few have been seen recently, the same could not be said in November 2017, when 100 of the creatures washed up in Jersey – on the west coast between El Tico and La Pulente, as well as on the south coast between Le Hocq and Green Island.
Any sightings of Portuguese man o’ war should be reported to Jersey Coastguard by calling 447705.
