Essex: Watch out for visit from jellyfish

6:40am Thursday 24th July 2008

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SWIMMERS are being warned to watch out for poisonous jellyfish this summer.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is asking seaside visitors to take part in its national jellyfish survey and report their sightings.

While the Essex coastline has not seen visits from the more dangerous jellyfish, such as the portugese man of war, other less toxic species are regular visitors.

“In May we started to receive reports of big blooms of the harmless moon jellyfish from around the UK, and then through June and July, large numbers of the beautiful blue and compass jellyfish also started to wash up on our beaches,” said Peter Richardson, MCS biodiversity programme manager.

“As ever, we are encouraging holidaymakers to take part in our national jellyfish survey, but the key message is look, don’t touch.”