‘Plastic bag’ with a bite: Maltese marine biologist warns of Portuguese Man o’ War spotted near Sicily
This rare but painful marine visitor was reported near San Vito Lo Capo.
Maltese marine biologist Alan Deidun has posted a heads up to swimmers and divers following a concerning sighting off the north-western coast of Sicily, close to the popular beach of San Vito Lo Capo.
The species in question is the feared Portuguese man o’ war, also known as the blue bottle (Physalia physalis).
Despite often being mistaken for a jellyfish, the Portuguese man o’ war is actually a siphonophore: a floating colony made up of thousands of tiny, genetically identical polyps working together as one organism. These polyps are attached to a gas-filled float known as a pneumatophore, which keeps the colony buoyant and allows winds and currents to carry it across the sea’s surface.
The Portuguese man o’ war is notorious for its long, venomous tentacles, which can deliver an extremely painful sting. In rare cases, stings may cause severe allergic reactions and can even prove fatal.
Prof. Deidun advises that the most effective first aid treatment is immersion in hot water (40–45°C) for 20 to 45 minutes, which helps neutralise the venom. If hot water is not immediately available, cold packs may be applied as a temporary measure.
Although native to the Atlantic Ocean, Physalia physalis has been recorded several times in the central Mediterranean over the past 15 years. In Malta, sightings have primarily occurred during the spring months, often reported through the local ‘Spot the Jellyfish’ citizen science campaign.
With swimming season approaching, early-season bathers are urged to stay alert and scan the water carefully before taking a dip. If spotted, avoid contact and report the sighting to local authorities or the ‘Spot the Jellyfish’ campaign.
Have you ever spotted one?