Friday, February 7, 2014

Jellyfish migration: summer 2013?

Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013

Mobile, Alabama
posts: 1
Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
It seems like I've been hearing reports for the last week or so that the jellyfish are so bad in this area that you cannot even get in the water. A couple questions about that...
1) When there is a jellyfish migration, are they there all day? Or do they just come to shore during certain times of the day or certain tidal situations.
2) How long does a migration like this typically last? Should we expect to see the abundance of jellyfish still in a couple weeks or is it usually just a couple day thing?
14 replies to this topic
Gulf Shores, AL
Destination Expert
for Gulf Shores, Orange Beach
posts: 2,604
reviews: 12
1. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
First I've heard of it. I've been in the water every couple of days for the past two weeks and I think I've seen two jellies. Where did you hear this information?
mudslinger439
posts: 8
2. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
My family is going to Gulf Shores, AL next week and I'm concerned about the Jellyfish as well. From what I have read, there are reports of 100+ jellyfish in the area. If you visit jellywatch dot org you can view reports of jellyfish sightings. There are two recent sightings in the Gulf Shores, AL area. I quoted the two sighting's information from jellywatch website below. I sure hope they move on out by the time we get there...
1. 7/1/13 Orange Beach, AL "Hundreds of striped jellyfish- kept most people out of the water today at the beach."
2. 7/2/13 Gulf Shores, AL "Lots of Cnidaria in Gulf Shores, AL. 100+ Water extremely clear as many as 8 in small area every few feet in the ocean. Some do not have tentacles others have tentacles over 2 feet long"
mudslinger439
posts: 8
3. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
Also just found this link to news story dated 7/3/13, "Jellyfish migrating back to Alabama Gulf Coast". Link to news story and video: cbs42.com/2013/…
Louisville, Kentucky
posts: 25
reviews: 59
4. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
I've been here a week and yes they are bad. Our group had 3 stings, two in one day. The beach has also had a double red Pretty much everyday as it got later. Hopefully the weather and the jellyfish will clear up for you!
Atmore
posts: 299
reviews: 10
5. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
we were just in Orange beach fir a few days and they were BAD! I got stunk 15 minutes of getting down to the beach....the jellyfish washed up with a wave, I was on shore, not in the water. This KILLEDme because I LOVE the water. The main thing to know is NOT to rub sand in the sting, make you up a paste of either water and meat tenderizer, or meat tenderizer and vinegar to rub on a sting. Hot water or sea water is good too...draws out any venom left behind. My foot stayed red and blotchy for a while, but eventually went away. We are going back the end of July and I will have my paste made up and it will be on the beach with me....but i hope they are gone by then!
Kingwood, Texas
posts: 3
reviews: 26
6. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
Heading to GS in the morning from Houston, hopefully the weather gives us a break.. Hate to think we could be there a week and not be able to get into the water.
LaGrange, Georgia
posts: 3
7. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
We just returned from Gulf Shores yesterday. In 8 days we could only get in the water one day. Between the jelly fish and the water being so rough, you couldn't get in. The water was red flagged or double red for several days. The beaches are also dirty. There is trash everywhere, I even saw a tampon laying on the beach. They were cleaner when tar balls were washing up.
LaGrange, Georgia
posts: 3
8. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
We just returned from Gulf Shores yesterday. In 8 days we could only get in the water one day. Between the jelly fish and the water being so rough, you couldn't get in. The water was red flagged or double red for several days. The beaches are also dirty. There is trash everywhere, I even saw a tampon laying on the beach. They were cleaner when tar balls were washing up.
Beebe, Arkansas
Destination Expert
for Little Rock
posts: 2,112
reviews: 39
9. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
Now.. I am not sure why you would say the beaches are dirty ..
Gulf shores was just selected as the cleanest beaches in America , and the water quality is also rated the cleanest . When you have severe weather and heavy rains, you get under tow , which is why the double red flags were in use. Two weeks back there were 3 drownings in the area, from people not respecting the flag system.
I can give you hundreds of photo's of the area that prove that the beaches are spotless. The weather being stormy will also bring in Jellyfish as well as Trash , from careless tourist that seem to not respect the homes of those they are visiting.
I assure this is not the norm, for the area. The gulf is full of sea life and when you swim in their home, you have to expect anything can happen.
mudslinger439
posts: 8
10. Re: Recent Jellyfish Migration - Gulf Shores / Ft Morgan - 2013
We are now at Gulf Shores. I have seen 8 of the pinkish, dark brown spotted jellyfish. Several people including myself have been stung by them. Very annoying. People are getting in the water despite the threat. Beach clean in my opinion. Water not that clear due to recent storms but should clear up soon.

end quote from:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g30582-i174-k6642702-Recent_Jellyfish_Migration_Gulf_Shores_Ft_Morgan_2013-Gulf_Shores_Alabama.html

I was trying to get more information on a 4 1/2 foot jellyfish found I believe in Australia? I found this instead. I'll try to refine my researches more for next article or articles.

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