Portuguese man-of-wars spotted at Mass., RI beaches

Potentially painful sea creatures have been washing up on beaches in New England, prompting warnings from public officials.

Last week, Portuguese man-of-wars were reported on south-facing beaches on Martha's Vineyard, and on Tuesday, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management reported that the creatures were spotted on three state beaches this week.

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There were also reports of man-of-wars washing up on at least one Cape Cod beach this week.

As experienced beachgoers may know from painful experience, Portuguese man-of-wars are jellyfish-like creatures that pack a shocking, sometimes numbing sting that can cause welts, even if they've been on the beach for weeks.

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Several Cape Cod beaches are closed to swimming after Portuguese man o' war sightings.

"While the man o’ war’s sting is rarely deadly to people, it packs a painful punch and causes welts on exposed skin," the National Ocean Service says.

Anyone who finds one of the puffed-up animals should avoid touching it, especially its tentacles.

Swimmers should look for + avoid balloon-like objects floating on top of the water. These jellyfish-like sea creatures w. long tentacles + a painful sting are likely coming up on the Gulf Stream from southern waters. DEM staff will continue to monitor beaches for signs of them.
— Rhode Island Dept of Environmental Management (@RhodeIslandDEM) July 11, 2023

The jellyfish are traveling up the coast along the Gulf Stream, according to Rhode Island officials, who said purple flags were being flown to warn people of dangerous wildlife in the water.