Jellyfish have been spotted at Formby Beach, a popular destination on the Merseyside coast, as temperatures continue to soar this week. Blooms of jellyfish have been seen in the sea, prompting warnings from local authorities and beachgoers.
Swimmer's Warning
One mother, who went for a swim at the beach this morning, warned people to be vigilant after encountering a number of jellyfish in the water. She said: "I went for a swim before work but it wasn't meant to be. I'd only been in the water about a minute and I must've seen about six jellyfish. I've been stung before and I know how much it hurts so I got straight out."
Why Jellyfish Are Appearing
Jellyfish are often drawn closer to shore on warm, calm days, as sea temperatures rise. Merseyside has experienced weather conditions above 30°C in recent days, leading to blooms of jellyfish moving closer to the beach. Albert Peacock, a ranger at National Trust Formby, which owns the beach, explained: "During the summer months jellyfish can often be spotted in the sea around the UK. On warm, calm days, currents and rising sea temperatures can bring blooms of jellyfish closer to shore. Most of the species you’ll spot around the UK are relatively harmless. However, a small number, including the compass jellyfish, can give a painful sting, so it’s always best to keep a look out for them in the sea and on the shore."
Safety Advice
Peacock added: "We recommend wearing swimming shoes if you’re taking a dip in the sea. Although most jellyfish found in the UK do not cause serious harm, we advise anyone stung by a jellyfish to seek medical attention. It’s also a good idea to keep dogs away from any washed-up jellyfish too, as they can mistake them for a tasty treat."
Previous Incidents
This is not the first time blooms of jellyfish have been spotted at Formby. Mum Kate Lally previously told the ECHO that seeing jellyfish made her "shudder" three years ago after she was stung by a number of them in July 2021. At the time, she had only been in the sea at Formby beach for eight minutes when she described "blinking" and being surrounded by the animals. She suffered stings to her right arm and both upper legs. Two days later, all three stings were still extremely prominent on her skin. She told The ECHO: "I wouldn't let it put me off going to the beach but I do think people need to be careful especially if they've got young kids or pets with them."
What to Do If Stung
NHS advice for jellyfish stings includes: rinse the affected area with seawater (not fresh water); remove any spines from the skin using tweezers or the edge of a bank card; soak the area in very warm water (as hot as can be tolerated) for at least 30 minutes – use hot flannels or towels if you cannot soak it; take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen. You may also need medical assistance. If you are concerned, contact NHS 111.
