Britons are puzzled by the appearance of numerous extraordinary alien-like creatures that have washed up on various beaches along the Welsh coast.
The strikingly beautiful blue sea creatures, believed to be Velella Velella or by-the-wind sailors, have been observed along the shoreline. These creatures, closely related to the Portuguese Man o’ War, are typically found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans.
Local residents have described the creatures as resembling crystals, reporting sightings of dozens of them along the beaches of Anglesey and the west Gwynedd coast. In Barmouth, hundreds were found scattered on the town’s beach.
The unexpected influx of these creatures, referred to as the “blue tide,” surprised many beach visitors, with some comparing them to alien jellyfish and expressing astonishment at the unusual sight.
Despite the surprise, experts note that these creatures are relatively common but are usually seen during autumn and winter. Marine specialist Frankie Hobro, from Anglesey Sea Zoo in Bynsiencyn, explained that while their sting is mild compared to Portuguese man o’ war, caution should be taken to avoid direct contact with them.
By-the-wind-sailors, characterized by their electric blue color, are colonial hydroids composed of a colony of tiny individual animals and are not true jellyfish. Measuring around 7cm in length, they possess a small sail that catches the wind, allowing them to drift with the currents to different locations.
Frankie added that these creatures typically arrive during winter storms and are less frequently seen, making their appearance in June somewhat unusual. She also expressed concern about the increasing overlap in the arrival of Portuguese Man o’ War and by-the-wind-sailors, indicating the impact of climate change on ocean currents.
