Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) officials recently found a number of jellyfish at Hac Sa and Cheoc Van beaches during their patrols.
The bureau has hoisted yellow flags on both beaches indicating that the coastal water is “not suitable for swimming” there, according to a DSAMA statement yesterday.
The statement pointed out that the bureau has set up information boards on both beaches to warn residents and tourists alike about jellyfish, and lifeguards will also urge beach-goers to refrain from swimming.
The bureau warned the public not to touch the jellyfish. Anyone coming across a jellyfish should instead inform a lifeguard as soon as possible, the statement noted.
Lifeguards will provide immediate help if anyone feels discomfort after having been stung by a jellyfish, the statement said.
Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
The bureau also advised the public that before visiting the beach to access the DSAMA official website (https://www.marine.gov.mo) to check photos of the two beaches, which are being updated on a daily basis, in order to better grasp the hygiene and environment situation of the day, the statement said.
The bureau also reminded residents to pay attention to the colour of the flags, information boards, megaphone messages and the situation of the sea when enjoying a day at the beach, the statement said.
According to the DSAMA website, when the yellow flag is hoisted on a beach it means “not suitable for swimming”, while when the red flag is up it means “do not go into the water”.
According to Wikipedia, jellyfish are armed with nematocysts. Contact with a jellyfish tentacle can trigger millions of nematocysts to pierce the skin and inject venom.
A nematocyst is a capsule containing a barbed, threadlike tube that delivers a paralysing sting. The effects of stings range from mild discomfort to extreme pain and death. Most jellyfish stings are not deadly, but stings of some box jellyfish, such as the sea wasp, can be lethal.
This undated handout photo released by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) yesterday shows a jellyfish found at one of Coloane’s two beaches.
