The Man o’ War is back, watch out Mumbaikars

The Mangrove Cell of the Forest Department has installed banners on the beaches in Mumbai alerting visitors about these creatures

It's that time of the year when Mumbaikars are warned about being careful on beaches, as many venomous but attractive Portuguese Man o' War wash up ashore. They have been seen on Juhu and Gorai beaches in the past two days. According to those in marine conservation, beachgoers should take steps to prevent getting stung by these marine creatures.

Shaunak Modi, co-founder of the Coastal Conservation Foundation, told mid-day that apart from the Portuguese Man o' War, another threat to humans is the tarballs, which have also washed ashore in huge numbers.

The Portuguese Man o' War, or Bluebottle, is not a jellyfish, but a siphonophore - a colony of highly specialised hydrozoans

According to Modi, the Portuguese Man o' War, or Bluebottle, as it's commonly known, is not a jellyfish, but a siphonophore - a colony of highly specialised hydrozoans living in unison.

Why be careful

"Its float looks like a transparent balloon, and acts like the colony's vehicle on the sea surface where they live. These creatures are largely at the mercy of the wind and water currents, which is why they're brought ashore occasionally when there are strong onshore winds. They are venomous and stepping on one can cause pain and itching. People going to the beach should not go barefoot and see where they step," Modi said.

The Mangrove Cell of the Forest Department has also installed banners on the beaches in Mumbai alerting visitors of the Portuguese Man o' War.

Marine enthusiast and member of Marine Life of Mumbai, Pradip Patade said, "During the monsoon, the Portuguese Man o' War wash ashore the beaches and so those visiting the beaches should avoid touching them. In case someone touches them accidentally, there is no need to panic, one should pour sea water or lukewarm water over the area to get relief from pain." Experts also said after that it is better to go to a doctor.

Monsoon sightings

For years these creatures have been spotted on beaches in Mumbai during monsoon and there have been instances of people getting stung after accidentally stepping on them. If stung, a person suffers in pain for more than 1-3 hours and if the venom reaches the lymph node, it can cause swelling in the throat and cardiac distress.

What is Portuguese Man o' War?

The Portuguese Man o' War or Bluebottle is a species of siphonophore - a group of animals closely related to jellyfish. It comprises a colony of specialised, genetically identical individuals with various forms and functions, all working together as one.