With summer fast approaching, many people enjoy going to the beach to cool off by playing in the water. However, a serious warning has been issued due to the recent appearance of the Portuguese man o' war, known as one of the world's most venomous marine creatures, along Taiwan's northern coastline.
Dangerous Portuguese Man o' War Spotted in Northern Taiwan
The Taipei Tourism Bureau's North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration recently posted a warning on their Facebook page titled, "Attention!! Portuguese Man o' War Sightings on the Northern Coast." They emphasized strongly: "Do not touch or handle them. They look like transparent plastic bags but are highly toxic. Contact can be fatal."
These creatures have been spotted in areas such as Feicui Bay and the intertidal zones and beaches along the northern coast. People have mistaken them for small transparent plastic bags, but they are actually Portuguese man o' war, which carry extremely potent venom.
What Is the Portuguese Man o' War?
Also called the "man-of-war" or "bluebottle", this organism is not a true jellyfish but a siphonophore—a colonial organism made up of specialized individual animals working together. It has a translucent, balloon-like float that can be pink, blue, purple, or transparent, and long tentacles averaging 10 meters in length, sometimes reaching up to 22 meters. These tentacles are covered with venomous stinging cells that can kill small marine life and cause severe injury to humans.
Risks and Symptoms of Stings
The venom of the Portuguese man o' war is acidic and causes intense pain, leaving red whip-like welts that can last two to three days. The toxin can penetrate lymph nodes, causing deeper pain and triggering allergic chain reactions such as fever, shock, and interference with heart and lung functions. In severe cases, stings can be fatal.
Handling Stings: What to Do
If stung by a Portuguese man o' war, it is crucial to immediately remove any tentacles that remain attached, even if broken off. Tentacles can still deliver venom hours after detachment or after the organism has died. Use antihistamines to reduce inflammation, and if symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly to ensure safety.
Authorities advise against touching these creatures out of curiosity and warn that both live and dead specimens are dangerous. The sting site should be rinsed with seawater (not fresh water), and hot water immersion (around 45°C) can help relieve pain. Vinegar and urine are not recommended treatments for Portuguese man o' war stings as they may worsen the pain.
Recent Sightings and Public Awareness
Recently, numerous Portuguese man o' war have been found drifting ashore at Keelung's Dawulun Beach and other northern coastal areas, often mixed with floating debris. Local businesses report an early arrival of these creatures this year, with over 100 jellyfish collected during beach cleanups. Foreign tourists have also suffered stings from both common jellyfish and Portuguese man o' war while swimming.
Experienced diving instructors explain that Portuguese man o' war tend to travel in groups and are carried by seasonal winds and currents from tropical regions to Taiwan's waters. Their blue tentacles float beneath the surface, making them difficult to spot and increasing the risk of accidental contact.
Summary
- The Portuguese man o' war is one of the world's most venomous marine animals, recently sighted along Taiwan's northern coast.
- It resembles a transparent plastic bag but has long, venomous tentacles that can cause severe pain, allergic reactions, shock, and even death.
- Do not touch or handle them, whether alive or dead.
- If stung, remove tentacles carefully, rinse with seawater, use antihistamines, and seek medical help if necessary.
- Beachgoers should stay alert and exercise caution during summer water activities in affected areas.
Stay safe and enjoy the summer responsibly by respecting marine life and following official warnings.
