The presence of the dangerous Portuguese Man-of-War jellyfish, also known as the Portuguese Frigate, has been reported on the beaches of Tulum and Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo. Tourists and residents are advised to stay alert and avoid contact with these jellyfish.
The Secretariat of Civil Protection, Risk Prevention, and Firefighters of Solidaridad issued a statement confirming the presence of these jellyfish in Playa del Carmen, specifically in the beach area between CTM Avenue and 88th Street. Lifeguards discovered the jellyfish during a surveillance tour, noting that weather conditions had brought them ashore.
The Portuguese Man-of-War jellyfish can cause serious skin injuries and health problems. Its tentacles release potent venom that remains active even after the jellyfish has been removed from the sand. Contact with the jellyfish can cause severe burns, paralysis, difficulty breathing, arrhythmias, and in extreme cases, death, especially if the victim has an allergic reaction or goes into anaphylactic shock.
Similar reports have emerged from the beaches of Tulum, where Portuguese jellyfish have been detected at intervals of 50 to 100 meters along the coast. The General Directorate of Civil Protection and Firefighters Tulum advised that the jellyfish’s “bladders” float on the water’s surface while the tentacles remain below, making them identifiable.
Portuguese Man-of-War jellyfish are common in tropical and temperate oceans, including the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific. Driven by wind and currents, these organisms are unpredictable and difficult to avoid at sea.
Visitors to the beaches of Tulum and Playa del Carmen should remain vigilant and heed the warnings to avoid contact with the Portuguese Man-of-War jellyfish to ensure their safety.
Source: Debate
