The New Jersey shore is threatened by thousands of rare mauve stinger jellyfish that may cause excruciating stings and long-lasting scars.
Unlike typical jellyfish, these organisms contain stinging cells all throughout their bodies, and they may cause excruciating wounds that last for weeks.
Liza Baskin, a marine biologist, described the sting as like one from a nine-volt battery and said it was unusual to see the critters wash up on the coast.
According to Baskin, who spoke to NJ.com, “sometimes people pick up dead jellyfish by the bell—that should certainly not happen with this one because it may still sting you.”
Beachgoers were warned after one swimmer suffered a sting when a mauve stinger jellyfish briefly touched his arm and left a crimson track mark.
Timothy Boulous said on social media while displaying his welt at Sea Bright Beach, “I’ve never actually seen little jellyfish… out here in the water, but they are out here today.”
It’s unknown why the creatures that formerly lived in the open sea are now lying on the sand, but a scientist hypothesizes that it may be because of summer breezes, decreasing rainfall, or even the tide bringing the jellyfish ashore.
The Sandy Hook beach to Cape May has seen sightings of the little pink-purple jellyfish.
Rare mauve stinger jellyfish are flocking to New Jersey coastline ahead of Labor Day Weekend. Biologist warn the creatures leave permanent scars and painful marks
The jellyfish are scientifically referred to as pelagia noctiluca. They have stingers all over their bodies, unlike other jellyfish
The painful stings can leave permanent scars and swell immediately
After being stung by a jellyfish at Sea Bright Beach, one beachgoer issued a warning about them.
While visiting Marine Watch Beach with her children, Maggie McGuire saw many of the tiny sea creatures and made the decision to take a closer look by gathering them into a bucket.
According to McGuire, “The water was practically flooded with them.” She captured a few of the jellyfish and then released them.
Another marine expert hypothesized that there are yet undiscovered hundreds of mauve stingers around the beach.
Paul Bologna, a biologist, decided to do an experiment with one of the jellyfish and consented to get stung.
“How horrible could it be?” I thought. Bologna spoke with NJ.com.
I started using some choice four-letter words right away, and it felt like excruciating torture.
Only a handful of the animals have been seen in Bologna in the last 15 years, but more have been spotted recently.
The jellyfish are typically modest in size and have a pinkish hue to their bodies.
Along with salt water or a warm compress, some doctors advise using white vinegar to cure jellyfish stings.
Baskin said, “I wouldn’t let one jellyfish keep me out of the water—Labor it’s Day weekend.” I would just bring a bottle of vinegar.
On the New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group, other beachgoers aren’t afraid to share their mauve jellyfish sightings.
In other pictures, onlookers are seen watching the animals from buckets or the beach. Other jellyfish without stingers are also observed being held by some courageous kids.