The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Killer swarms ravage coast
SWARMS of killer Portoguese Man o’War are invading the Kerry coast in a massive threat to the hardy swimmers still braving the waters as well as beachgoers on the foreshore.
At least another 30 Portuguese Man o’War blew into Derrynane at the weekend, raising the threat level to the point at which people are now being advised not to enter the sea.
Sightings have now been reported along the entire Kerry coast in a worrying indication of the presence of the potentially killer creature (technically a siphonophore rather than a jellyfish) in our waters .
“These are extremely lethal to people, especially young children and people with asthma,” Kevin Flannery of Dingle Oceanworld said.
“Its tentacles, which can trail up to ten metres, contain venom for killing fish and it is this venom that can present equally serious problems for people,” Mr Flannery said.
He’s worked in marine biology all his life, but has never seen anything like this in Kerry. “I’ve never seen them in such numbers here. We’re really going to have to look at the effects of climate change now as these are coming up in warmer waters and southwesterlies lasting longer than usual.”
He warned people to stay well clear, even if they find the nasties lying on the sand. “Don’t handle them for any reason. It’s a lot easier to avoid them than to have to do as Bear Grylls did and get a Spice Girl to pee on you!”
Derrynane photographer Vincent Hyland (right) took the precaution of wearing gloves as he captured some of the siphonophores that sailed into the bay on Sunday. And with at least one triathlon planned for the weekend (in the Maharees), everyone is being urged to wear wetsuits as protection from the venom.