Unusual marine organisms with bright blue tentacles and bodies have been found washed ashore on St Bees beach in Cumbria, British.
The creatures, identified as Velella velella, or 'by-the-wind-sailors', are colonial hydroids that use sail-like fins to drift on wind and ocean currents. They are typically observed between September and March.
The Cumbria Wildlife Trust shared images of the Velella velella, noting that despite their jellyfish-like appearance, they are not true jellyfish. Instead, each 'sailor' is a colony of polyps with specialized functions for feeding, reproduction, and defense.
These organisms, which can be oval-shaped and up to 10cm in length, possess stinging tentacles and feed on small fish. The Wildlife Trust advises against touching them, although they are generally considered less harmful to humans than the Portuguese Man O'War, to which they bear a resemblance.
The sighting follows a similar event in April, where thousands of Velella velella washed up on southern California beaches. This phenomenon is attributed to their mode of locomotion, relying on wind and currents.
In a separate, more concerning marine event earlier this month, tourists in the Mediterranean were warned about toxic pufferfish, specifically the silver-cheeked toadfish, with sharp teeth. These fish have been spotted in Greek waters, prompting officials to erect sea barriers. The Greek Red Cross issued an alert due to the fish's aggressive nature and the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin found in its flesh, which can be lethal if ingested. The silver-cheeked toadfish, typically found in the Indian Ocean, is believed to have entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, following warming seas. Their population has increased in recent years, with sightings reported as far west as Italy and Spain, and there have been increasing reports of attacks on swimmers.