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NJ Beaches: Beware the Tiny Jellyfish with a Mighty Sting
18 Jun
Summary
- The venomous clinging jellyfish, native to the Pacific, has returned to New Jersey.
- Its sting releases potent neurotoxins causing severe pain and illness.
- Over 700 sightings have been recorded in New Jersey waters since 2016.
New Jersey's coastal waters are once again hosting the venomous clinging jellyfish, a species typically found in the Pacific Ocean. This small, transparent jellyfish, about the size of a dime, packs a powerful sting due to potent neurotoxins it releases. The species, which can have more than 60 tentacles, has been sighted in the Metedeconk River and Barnegat Bay.
Victims of the clinging jellyfish sting have reported severe reactions, including excruciating pain, rashes, muscle spasms, and respiratory problems. In 2018, a 58-year-old man experienced extreme pain, and recently, a 6-year-old required multiple emergency room visits. Medical professionals are often unfamiliar with treating these stings effectively.
Since 2016, when tracking began, around 700 sightings of the clinging jellyfish have been documented in New Jersey. These jellyfish thrive in warmer waters, around 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and are typically found in shallow estuaries and back bays, often congregating in eelgrass beds. Immediate treatment involves applying white vinegar, followed by heat to remove tentacles.
Experts emphasize the invasive nature of this jellyfish in New Jersey waters and the lack of widespread knowledge regarding its treatment. Unlike a typical bee sting, a clinging jellyfish sting can be severe enough to necessitate hospitalization. Swimmers are advised to avoid eelgrass beds where the jellyfish are commonly found.
