Thousands of poisonous jellyfish cover Cornwall's beaches

Updated
Millions of Baby Jellyfish Wash Up on UK Beach After Storms
Millions of Baby Jellyfish Wash Up on UK Beach After Storms



Visitors to Cornish beaches were in for a shock last week when they found the sand covered in thousands of venomous jellyfish.

See also: Giant jellyfish surrounds snorkeler in Dorset

See also: Beautiful but dangerous jellyfish pictured in Scotland


As the footage shows, Portreath Beach was just one of the west country shorelines to be inundated with row upon row of tiny jellyfish lying on the shoreline.

The woman behind the camera can be heard saying: "We've rescued as many as we could but unfortunately the storm has got hold of them."

According to the Western Morning News huge numbers of 'Pelagia 'Noctiluca', or mauve stinger jellyfish, have been found on the beaches at Poldhu, Tolcarne, Newquay and Sennen too.


The fish can grow up to four inches in width and are the most poisonous breed of jellyfish to be found in British waters. They are generally a pink/purple colour with spots on the bell, which is where the sting can be found.

A representative from the Cornish Wildlife Trust told the Western Morning News: "This jellyfish can have a potent sting (as a member of the trust found out surfing the other day) so be careful not to handle them – the stinging capsules still function automatically when an object comes into contact and even dead jellyfish can still sting."

In June this year marine conservation scientist Dr Keith Hiscock declared 2015 'the year of the jelly' after an invasion of jellyfish on British beaches, the Telegraph reported.

He said: "It's the blue jellyfish and the compass jellyfish that have stings. They're the ones people ought to look out for and be aware that they can sting. It's best for swimmers and beach-goers to avoid any contact with them."

You can report any marine sightings here on The Wildlife Trust website.



Snorkeler Bravely Swims with Thousands of Jellyfish
Snorkeler Bravely Swims with Thousands of Jellyfish


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