A Portuguese man o' war physalia physalis individual was spotted by a fisherman on Monday just outside Xlendi Bay in Gozo. The species is a colony of specialised gelatinous organisms.

The Spot the Jellyfish team at the IOI-MOC, University of Malta said sightings of this stinging species were rare in Maltese waters with only a handful of species encountered each year.

The species is normally absent from local waters during the busy summer bathing season and is normally encountered locally in spring.

The Portuguese man o’ war inflicts painful stings and the venom in detached tentacles and dead specimens could remain active for a few days.

Marine biologist Alan Deidun said that the best treatment for stings was the application of hot packs and washing with seawater.

The Spot the Jellyfish initiative is coordinated by Aldo Drago and is implemented by Dr Deidun and staff of IOI-MOC.

Sightings can be reported online or submitted by SMS on 7922 2278, email: ioi-moc@um.edu.mt and alan.deidun@gmail.com.

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