Earlier Blue bottles that live in deeper oceans would be found washed ashore in the beginning of monsoons due to strong winds and currents and were seen for a fewer days, says Apte
Even as marine enthusiasts from the city who have been over the years following the washing ashore of Blue bottles or Portuguese Man O' War on several beaches across the city are left wondering about the extended 'visit' that is larger this year, scientists indicate that rising temperatures of oceans could be one of the key factors behind the population boom.
Marine ecologist and Director of BNHS Dr Deepak Apte said that, earlier Blue bottles that live in deeper oceans would be found washed ashore in the beginning of monsoons due to strong winds and currents and were seen for a fewer days. However, there is an obvious change in not only their arrival but also their numbers and while there have been no study, yet the trend is a clear indicator.
"Global warming is resulting in warmer oceans including that of Arabian sea, which makes the situation conducive for their breeding thus increasing their numbers and it would not be a surprise to find a rise in the number of blue bottles being washed ashore in years to come," he said adding that people who visit the beach need to be simply careful and avoid these.
Former principal scientist at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Dr Vinay Deshmukh informed that in the last three decades the temperature of Arabian sea has increased by 0.8 degree Celsius and while it might mean nothing for us but even this slight change has far reaching impact on the marine organisms and if there is a population boom of blue bottles its obvious that they will be washed more in numbers along the coast. "Mumbai only used to have sighting of these beautiful but venomous creatures for a few days three to four decades back but this year I have not only heard that they have arrived late and are much larger in numbers but also a very high number of people who have been stung in last few days and its almost become like a menace," he said.
Deshmukh said that most of these are a belief based on observations by the scientific community across the globe given the fact that there has been rise in numbers of blue bottles showing up on beaches across several countries including Australia and a proper answer would require a longer study and data collection.
Another senior marine scientist said that it was something to be worried about as increase of any species indicates something is wrong in the ecosystem. "Their rising numbers indicates that chances are that their predators have reduced and if one observes closely over fishing, pollution in the ocean is affecting many species including turtles, who prey upon these and keep their population in control," he said.
THE THREAT
- Blue bottles are also known as the Portuguese Man’O war
- They appear like plastic or a bubble when washed ashore. They also float in water and have tentacles that cause the sting
- Despite their appearance they are not like jelly fish
- Anyone who comes in contact with tentacles can receive a sting causing burning pain leading to muscle weakness
- These tentacles can even sting if the organisms are dead. They are not one individual but a colony
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