This year’s early arrival may be linked to persistently strong westerlies experienced in recent weeks!
A specimen of the Portuguese man o’ war, Physalia physalis, has reached Maltese shores earlier than usual this year. The striking siphonophore colony, known in Italian as ‘caravella del mare’, was photographed at St. Julian’s by citizen scientist Johann Bellizzi. Earlier this week, this speciment was spotted cruising the shores of Sicily.
Although its painful sting often raises concern, there is no cause for alarm. Portuguese man o’ war colonies are regularly recorded in Maltese waters during spring, typically between March and May. Strong westerly and north-westerly winds carry them from the Atlantic eastwards into the Mediterranean, eventually depositing some along Malta’s coastline.
This year’s early arrival may be linked to persistently strong westerlies experienced in recent weeks, including consecutive storms that battered Iberia. Such weather systems can accelerate their passage across the sea.
Have you ever spotted anything like this?