BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

There are oddities turning up every year at the Jersey shore, and they’re not just the out-of-state tourists.

The shore has always gotten the occasional shark sighting, but now a dangerous variety of jellyfish have been found floating up to some beach communities.

Brick Shorebeat reports that lifeguards spotted a Portuguese man-of-war on the beach at Harvey Cedars of Long Beach Island on Sunday morning of June 21. Last fall a box jellyfish was found in the Manasquan River, while others washed up on shore at Point Pleasant.

And that’s not all. NJ.com reports that according to Surf City Councilman Peter Hartney, more than 24 man-of-wars have washed up on the shores of that community as of June 27. “Our land happens to be in the direction of the wind and waves," said Hartney. "And the water is warm, which is keeping them alive. They probably have enough food to sustain themselves."

The man-of-war jellyfish are actually quite colorful, made up of purple and blue. But their tentacles grow an average of 6 feet, and can extend to 165 feet. According to Brick Shorebeat, the Portuguese man-of-war can leave red welts on humans with its dangerous sting. People who might be allergic to the jellyfish’s venom may face fever, shock, and interference with heart and lung activity.

Dr. Paul Bologna says the jellyfish follow the path of the Gulf Stream. They have also been washing up at Florida beaches.

“They’re pretty uncommon up here, but there are records that go back 100 years of them showing up in this area and Cape Cod,” he said,according to Brick Shorebeat. “But you need the right combination of the Gulf Stream and coastal winds to bring them to this area.”

Bologna expects to see the man-of-wars moving up the coastline in the immediate future.  “Eventually, they’re just going to get pushed further offshore, and probably move to the north,” he said, according to Brick Shorebeat. He expects more sightings because “everybody is looking for them now.”

FILE PHOTO: Portuguese Man O’ War — CREDIT: Scott Sonnenberg