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2010-03-02 09:45:02 - Biological Hazard - Gibraltar EDIS CODE: BH-20100302-25171-GIB
Date & Time: 2010-03-02 09:45:02 [UTC]
Area: Gibraltar, , Coastal areas, Not confirmed information! Description: Careful if you’re thinking of going into the sea off Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Government last night issued a warning that Man of War creatures have been spotted. A statement said various specimens of Portuguese Man-of-War, otherwise known as the ‘blue bubble’, have been seen in Gibraltar waters. The latest sighting, reported by the Royal Gibraltar Police earlier yesterday morning, was of a shoal of about twenty specimens at approximately 50 to 100 metres off Sandy Bay and some are reported to have landed at Camp Bay and Rosia Bay. Beach users, fishermen, divers and bathers are advised to keep well away from them, they are highly dangerous. This species, more common in the Atlantic Ocean, has reached the waters of Gibraltar due to the prevailing wind conditions that have blown the organisms through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Bay. The increased frequency of sightings in Gibraltar waters has led the Government to inform the public about this peculiar and potentially harmful marine species. The Portuguese Man-of-War is not a true jellyfish, but a siphonophore – a single animal made up of a colony of organisms. The stinging venom-filled nematocysts in the tentacles of the Portuguese Man-of-War can paralyze small fish and other prey. Detached tentacles and dead specimens (including those which wash up on shore) can sting just as painfully as the live creature in the water, and may remain potent for hours or even days after the death of the creature or the detachment of the tentacle. The Portugese Man-of-War is recognised by its bluish sail, or float, which can be up to 30 cm in length. Below the float hang the tentacles that may be more than 12 metres long - the length of a bus - with stinging parts that paralyze most fish and other prey on contact. Some tentacles have been reported to exceed even 30 metres in length. Although this species is not common in Gibraltar, it could be the case that this species may become a more frequent visitor to Gibraltar waters in future.
The name of Hazard: Portugesee Man-of-War Invasion
Species: Animal
Status: Confirmed
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