The Drum Jellyfish has been sighted more than 120 times this week “on many beaches” in the Algarve, from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António. The IPMA, advise not to touch the organisms.
In a statement on the IPMA website, they warn that the species Rhizostoma Luteum, known as the Drum Jellyfish, “has been sighted in considerable abundance on many beaches in the Algarve”, and in the last week In June, more than 120 sightings of the species were received by GelAvista, IPMA's citizen science program, running since 2016.
The species is common on the Portuguese coast, especially in the Algarve, during summer and autumn, but IPMA thinks the increase in sightings of the jellyfish must be related to currents and winds we have been experiencing, which have helped transport the organisms on to the beaches.
The Drum Jellyfish is described as “a large jellyfish, whose bell can reach 60 centimetres in diameter. It is characterized by its short, leafy oral arms, with long, dark-coloured appendages at the ends."
It can give a significant sting, which in case of direct contact with the skin, ice packs should be applied for about 15 minutes, after washing and cleaning the affected area with sea water.
It is recommended to avoid touching the organisms, even when they appear to be dead on the beach.
The presence of the jellyfish and their locations have been communicated to lifeguards.
