THOUSANDS of moon jellyfish have washed up off a UK beach in scenes that locals are saying is “like the apocalypse”.
Shocked Saira Franklin had to abandon her paddle boarding session after spotting them.
The moon jellyfish, which can give a mild sting, live in the Atlantic.
They were spotted at Broadsands Beach in Ilfracombe, Devon.
Saira, from Liskeard, Cornwall, told What’s The Jam: “I’ve never seen anything on that scale ever.
“We were paddle boarding at another beach close by first and there were a few jellyfish that we spotted every now and again.
“Maybe we saw six in total in an hour of paddle boarding.
“The next day before we left to head back to Cornwall we stopped off at Broadsands Beach.
“I thought it would be nice to have another paddle board before we went but there was no way you could wade out into the water.
“It was like a sea of actual jelly. There were thousands of them.
“There were a few others with purple bits that one beach-goer told us would sting like bad stinging nettles but they were still in the water.
“My kids found it fascinating.”
She added: “There were so many of them dead on the shore, it was like the apocalypse.”
This is not the first time the “harmless” creatures have washed up on UK shores.
On June 28, hundreds of moon jellyfish were spotted in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset.
North Somerset Council explained: “It’s been caused by the prevailing tides and winds, and it’s likely to be the case for a few days.
“Please don’t worry. We believe they’re Moon jellyfish and they’re harmless. They do have a mild sting – like a nettle – that can be treated with salt water.
“Please don’t touch them and be careful with your dogs so they don’t accidentally eat something they really shouldn’t!”
The NHS has information on first aid treatment for stings and recommends people seek medical advice for swelling or if in severe pain.
According to The Wildlife Trusts, the moon jellyfish or moon jelly is the “most common jellyfish in UK seas, often washing up on our beaches.
How are they identified?
Facts and figures
