Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish sighted at Marsamxett

The specimen in question, pictured, had a total length of 25-30cm. Sightings of this stinging species are rare in Maltese waters – in a paper published earlier this year, recent (since August 2009) sightings of this species in Maltese waters, amounting to a total of four, are listed.

The Portuguese man o’war is mostly common in the Atlantic Ocean and is currently wreaking havoc to the tourism industry in Florida, as thousands are sighted in coastal waters of this American state and with some internet sites soliciting tourists to avoid Florida for their holidays.

The Portuguese man o’war is not actually a jellyfish but actually consists of a colony of specialized gelatinous organisms. The colony has an air-filled bladder called the marissa or sail through it manages to float.

The species is commonly known as the Portuguese man-o-war by virtue of its resemblance to a 16th century vessel of Portuguese design, known as the caravel, which had triangular sails similar in outline to Physalia.

The species is native of tropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean but is also commonly encountered in other regions such as Australia and the Mediterranean Sea. It inflicts very painful stings and the venom in detached tentacles and even in dead specimens (such as those which wash up on shore) can remain active for a few days.

The Spot the Jellyfish initiative is coordinated by Alan Deidun and staff of IOI-MOC. The initiative follows a citizen science approach and relies on the collaboration of the general public, mariners, divers, and especially the younger generations.

More info: www.ioikids.net/jellyfish