Jul 25, 2008 7:03 pm US/Eastern
Large Jellyfish Spotted In Long Island Sound
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Warnings have been issued for swimmers in the Long Island Sound after jellyfish, similar to the ones above, have been spotted in large numbers. (File)
AP
Saturday is shaping up to be a beautiful beach day, but those crowding the sandy shores may find they are sharing the beach with jellyfish. Experts say the sea creatures are here earlier and in larger numbers than in years past.
When you reach the beach at the Rye Playland, you'll see a warning at the ticket window to watch out for the jellyfish. Just a few days ago, beachgoers saw lots of them in the waters of the Long Island Sound.
"We had jellyfish for a couple of days, really a tide and a wind thing, but we haven't had a jellyfish, as far as checking with the guards, in three or four days," said Dan McBride, Playland Director.
Last Sunday, jellyfish bit triathlon competitors in the Hudson River on Manhattan's West Side.
So CBS 2 headed offshore with New Rochelle harbormaster Sal Gugliara at the wheel and 10-year-old A.J. at the net. It didn't take long for A.J. to catch a huge "lion's mane" jellyfish, the distinctive reddish-orange kind usually not seen around here until August.
"The warmer weather we've had, the water's getting cleaner in the Sound every year, seems like more and more of 'em are coming in," said Gugliara.
There's lots of theories about the proliferation of jellyfish. Some say it's winds blowing from the south, others say it's the lack of rain, or nutrients from fertilizers running into area waters.
Yet there's no dispute that the big ones are best avoided as their sting can be pretty mean. The small "moon jellyfish" are relatively harmless.
Both types have been spotted at Playland beach this year and several swimmers have been treated for stings.
"Mild rash, we give them an ice pack, a band-aid, that's pretty much it," said McBride.
As for A.J.'s gooey catch, he returned the jellyfish to its habitat. Here's hoping we were the only humans it'll encounter this summer.
On Saturday, dozens of swimmers will spend hours in the Sound near Larchmont for a "Swim Across America" event. Organizers are warning them to wear full wet suits because of all the jellyfish.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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