(CNN)Part
of South Florida's sandy coastline was covered with thousands of
unwelcome beachgoers this week. Lifeguards on Hallandale …
Jellyfish invasion
Jellyfish
have invaded South Florida’s Hallandale Beach. Thousands of jellyfish
washed ashore on the popular beach, which is located about 18 miles
north of Miami. Strong ocean currents and intense winds are often … 3
hours ago
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(CNN)Part
of South Florida's sandy coastline was covered with thousands of
unwelcome beachgoers this week. Lifeguards on Hallandale …
Thousands of jellyfish invade South Florida beach
Story highlights
- Thousands of Velella jellyfish have invaded a South Florida beach
- Strong winds and ocean currents can catch the fins of these sea critters and bring them ashore
(CNN)Part of South Florida's sandy coastline was covered with thousands of unwelcome beachgoers this week.
Lifeguards
on Hallandale Beach, about 18 miles (29 kilometers) north of Miami,
discovered the shoreline littered with jellyfish, according to the city of Hallandale Beach's Facebook page.
Strong
winds and ocean currents can bring these creatures onto shore.
Unfortunately, there is no way to forecast their arrival, CNN
meteorologist Allison Chinchar said.
These
bluish, purplish jellyfish, called Velella velella, have bodies
designed to allow them to sail away from shore. However, strong winds
can catch the fins of the glassy-looking sea critters and carry them
onto beaches.
"This happens about
every three years. We are flying our Purple flag for dangerous marine
life," city officials said on social media. Similar incidents occurred
on Pacific Northwest beaches in 2015.
Also
known as "purple sailors" or "by-the-wind sailors," these jellyfish
have small tentacles for catching prey and are relatively benign.
However, they often travel with Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish, which
carry toxins that can leave a painful sting.
Despite
being harmless to humans, it is advised that people avoid rubbing their
eyes or putting fingers in their mouths after handling Velella
jellyfish, according to reports.
"Public
works beach tractor did rake up numerous, but they continue to wash up
and cleanup will be a gradual process," officials said.
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