Residents puzzled after thousands of mysterious blue creatures wash up on California beaches: 'I've never seen something like that before'
Thousands of blue, jellyfish-like creatures have been found on beaches in California recently, puzzling beachgoers and concerning climate scientists.
Velella velella, also known as "by-the-wind-sailors," have been washing up on beaches in California in unusual numbers.
According to KQED, one beachgoer said: "There were thousands of dead jellyfish all over the beach. … I've never seen something like that before."
These sea creatures aren't necessarily uncommon in the region, as they routinely show up during late spring and early summer to eat the plankton that increases at that time. However, how often people are seeing them washed up on beaches now is of some concern to climate scientists.
Though there is still a lack of concrete evidence, there is circumstantial evidence that the rising temperatures of the sea surface caused by pollution and other human activity have increased how often and how many V. velella are stranded onshore.
As rising sea temperatures continue increasing, the results can be deadly not only for marine life but also for humans.
Warmer sea temperatures can increase the risk of more powerful and frequent extreme weather events occurring, such as hurricanes, which lead to flooding, property destruction, injuries, and even death in communities affected by them.
Warmer oceans are also linked to higher levels of domoic acid, a toxin that can make people and marine life ill when ingested. If animals or humans consume enough, it can lead to domoic acid poisoning, which in humans can result in abdominal cramps, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and seizures.
Rising sea temperatures can result in coral bleaching, a decrease in fish, and the loss of marine life.
There are several ways to help mitigate this damage.
Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home?
Yes — always
Yes — often
Yes — sometimes
No — never
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from landfills and dirty energy is among the most vital. More companies and individuals switching to renewable energy sources, recycling, and using less plastic can reduce harmful carbon pollution.
Conservation work can help achieve this, too. Protecting, managing, and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems can make marine life more resilient in the face of warmer temperatures.
Further scientific research can help, as the more researchers know about how warmer temperatures affect marine life of all kinds, the better they will be able to understand how to devise strategies for mitigation and adaptation.
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Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Residents puzzled after thousands of mysterious blue creatures wash up on California beaches: 'I've never seen something like that before'
Thousands of blue, jellyfish-like creatures have been found on beaches in California recently, puzzling beachgoers and concerning climate scientists. Velella velella, also known as "by-the-wind-sailors," have been washing up on beaches in California in unusual numbers. According to KQED, one beachgoer said: "There were thousands of dead jellyfish all over the beach. … I've never seen something like that before." These sea creatures aren't necessarily uncommon in the region, as they routinely show up during late spring and early summer to eat the plankton that increases at that time. However, how often people are seeing them washed up on beaches now is of some concern to climate scientists. Though there is still a lack of concrete evidence, there is circumstantial evidence that the rising temperatures of the sea surface caused by pollution and other human activity have increased how often and how many V. velella are stranded onshore. As rising sea temperatures continue increasing, the results can be deadly not only for marine life but also for humans. Warmer sea temperatures can increase the risk of more powerful and frequent extreme weather events occurring, such as hurricanes, which lead to flooding, property destruction, injuries, and even death in communities affected by them. Warmer oceans are also linked to higher levels of domoic acid, a toxin that can make people and marine life ill when ingested. If animals or humans consume enough, it can lead to domoic acid poisoning, which in humans can result in abdominal cramps, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and seizures. Rising sea temperatures can result in coral bleaching, a decrease in fish, and the loss of marine life. There are several ways to help mitigate this damage. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from landfills and dirty energy is among the most vital. More companies and individuals switching to renewable energy sources, recycling, and using less plastic can reduce harmful carbon pollution. Conservation work can help achieve this, too. Protecting, managing, and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems can make marine life more resilient in the face of warmer temperatures. Further scientific research can help, as the more researchers know about how warmer temperatures affect marine life of all kinds, the better they will be able to understand how to devise strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Thousands of Velella velella wash ashore Ventura County beaches
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - It's that time of year again! If you've visited one of the beaches along California's coast recently, you may have noticed some strange little blue creatures washed ashore. While they may closely resemble the poisonous Portugese Man O'War, these little creatures are not poisonous and aren't even jellyfish. They're known as Velella velella - or By-the-Wind-Sailors. Thousands have washed ashore beaches in Ventura County, including Silver Strand, Kiddie, and Hollywood beaches, as well as the Channel Islands Harbor. According to the Point Reyes National Seashore, these hydroid polyps - cousins of the jellyfish - are actually pretty common. They live in the open ocean but make their way onto beaches in the spring and early summer months when strong winds push them ashore. They're described as flat, oval-shaped creatures, bluish to purple in color and three to four inches long, according to the National Park Service. Its two-inch trianguilar "sail" is attached at its base, diagonally. Velella has numerous blue tentacles dangling from its body, which contain stinging cells that help capture its food. Its stinging cells are rarely harmful to humans, officials said, in comparison to the Portugese Man O'War. By-the-wind sailors use their blue stinging tentacles to capture prey, such as plankton. While these seafarers don't have many known predators, they are eaten by nudibranchs and purple sea snails. Velella don't actively navigate using their sail, but rather go where the winds take them. "When the sail caches the wind, the Velella will be blown downwind at an angle to the wind," the NPS said. "This sets Velella apart from many other jellyfish, which drift with the ocean currents." "When the prevailing winds shift, such as during a storm, the Velella are driven towards the coast, where they often are stranded on beaches in great numbers. As the Velella dries out on the beach, it becomes brittle and transparent, looking like a cellophane candy wrapper." It's been about a year since we've seen Velella velella wash ashore. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Velella velella, By the Wind Sailors return to California beaches Research suggests that these "washups" are associated with warmer ocean temperatures in the northern California current. Officials say, Velella velellas pose little threat to humans, but if you do decide to pick one up, be careful when touching your face and eyes afterward because they can cause slight irritation to your skin. The Source Information for this story is from the Channel Islands Harbor, National Park Service, and Point Reyes National Seashore.
Newsweek
21-04-2025
- Newsweek
Cluster of Whale Deaths in California Raise Concerns: 'Quite Unusual'
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