MARANG: A venomous species of jellyfish believed to be Portuguese Man O’ War has been found along the beach of Pantai Pulau Kekabu here.
It was reported yesterday that 11 marine hydrozoan species (Physalia physalis) were found on the beach, believed to be the first time in the country.
The species, which could kill humans with its long tentacles that contain venom, are usually found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The Civil Defence Force (APM) officer, Capt Mohd Zabri said he and several members of Marang APM discovered the jellyfish while undergoing training for beach rescue.
“We were told that several Australian tourists who were at the beach spotted the jellyfish. Apart from the 11 already dead along the beach, 10 more were found in the water.
“We have advised the locals including tourists to be careful and stay away from the water,” he said.
A sample of the jellyfish was sent to the Oceanography Centre of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) for further tests, he said.
“The jellyfish has an attractive physical feature and would attract people especially young children to touch it.”
He said apart from Pantai Pulau Kekabu, the species have also been spotted at Pantai Batu Buruk in Kuala Terengganu.