KUALA TERENGGANU – Beachgoers in Terengganu are advised to be more careful following the discovery of poisonous Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish at Pantai Kelulut and Pantai Pulau Kerengga in Marang near here yesterday evening.
Terengganu Fisheries Department director Ruzaidi Mamat said checks by department staff at the two beaches this morning found four jellyfish.
“There may still be such jellyfish along the coast and monitoring is underway. Visitors are advised to immediately report to the department if they come across the jellyfish.
“Even though the jellyfish were found dead, people are advised not to touch the carcasses as they are still poisonous and very dangerous. If stung, immediately go to a nearby clinic or hospital for treatment,” he said in a statement today.
The current phase of the northeast monsoon season has brought dangerous jellyfish to the east coast, and the last time the poisonous species was seen in the waters of Terengganu was in February 2020.
Ruzaidi said previous studies had recorded the discovery of more than 1,000 Portuguese men o’ war floating in the waters of the Indian Ocean, drifting according to the currents or wind.
“To avoid threats on the surface, it can deflate its airbag and sink for a while. Their tentacles can reach an average of over 30 feet long and are covered by poison-filled nematocysts used to paralyse and kill fish and other small creatures.
“The sting is very painful to humans. Fatal cases are very rare but one still needs to be careful. Jellyfish that are dead and washed ashore can also cause stings if touched,” he said. – Bernama, January 9, 2022
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