Faced with this proliferation of jellyfish on the Var beaches, the prefecture calls for the greatest caution.
Bathers are unlucky in the Var. After the sudden drop in water temperature, the department’s beaches have now been invaded by jellyfish for several days.
To explain this sudden and massive arrival of jellyfish on the Var coast, we must turn to the weather.
“There was a strong blow of the mistral on the entire Provencal coast, details Manuel Marchioretti, doctor in marine biology. We had conditions which were favorable to bring the schools of jellyfish which were offshore towards the coast”, explains- he at the microphone of BFM Toulon Var.
On the Mourillon beach in Toulon, stranded jellyfish arrive by the dozen. “We have more and more of them,” confirms Véronique, a regular at the place. But she assures that swimmers are notified when they arrive.
A “lots of jellyfish” sign was installed at the entrance to the beach and the yellow and purple flags were hoisted. To swim away from jellyfish, Véronique reveals a little trick. “You have to watch the wind and take shelter from it,” she explains.
Faced with this spontaneous increase in cases, the Var prefecture called in a press release for “caution before jumping into the water.”
“Jellyfish that have just washed up on the beach are still stinging. Be careful not to step on them or pick them up by hand,” she wrote.
To reassure vacationers, this situation should only be temporary. “It will last 48 hours, maximum 72 hours”, confirms Manuel Marchioretti.
To know the position of jellyfish and thus avoid them, a map that lists them is available on the site offered by the Jellyfish Information and Alert Service.
Naël Makhzoum with Thibault Nadal
2023-08-10 16:13:32
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