The Portuguese Man o' War, regarded as one of the most venomous marine creatures, has led to multiple beach closures on Tenerife, one of Spain's popular holiday destinations in the Canary Islands. Several beaches have been closed due to sightings of this marine organism, with one swimmer requiring hospital treatment after contact, reports the German-language news portal Teneriffa News.
Authorities on the Canaries have issued warnings concerning the presence of the Portuguese Man o' War. The portal details: "Visitors should exercise great caution or temporarily avoid swimming altogether." According to Teneriffa News, "one person at Teresitas beach came into contact with one of the sea bladders and had to receive treatment at a health centre due to severe pain."
The Portuguese Man o' War, often mistaken for a jellyfish, is actually a colony of specialised polyps known as a siphonophore. Their distinctive purple, blue, and pink hues serve as a warning of their venomous tentacles. Contact with these tentacles can cause intense pain, lasting skin marks, and, in rare cases especially for allergic individuals, fatal reactions. Their tentacles can inflict injuries even when the creatures are not in plain sight, leaving welts and severe discomfort.
Similar incidents involving Portuguese Man o' Wars have occasionally prompted beach closures on Mallorca and other islands in the Balearics over the past years. However, they tend to disappear quickly from the Mediterranean due to water temperatures being less favourable.
Safety advice for beachgoers emphasises reporting any sightings to lifeguards and following their directions closely. "They monitor the situation and will reopen beaches once the Portuguese Man o' Wars have moved on," states "Teneriffa News." The public is encouraged to stay informed through lifeguards, who remain the point of contact regarding current beach conditions.