The authorities have warned against going into the sea at Las Canateras beach in Las Palmas due to the presence of Portuguese Man O War jellyfish. The red flag is being displayed on the beach which advises people to stay out of the water because although not deadly to humans, they do have a nasty ‘bite’.
The Department of Ciudad de Mar in Gran Canaria defines them as "beauty in motion, but whose bites are not remembered with such affection."
They advise, in case of suffering a bite, it is recommended to wash the affected area with saline solution or, failing that, seawater. It is also recommended to remove any remains of tentacles left on the skin with gloves or tweezers.
They also recommend applying something cold, e.g. ice, for 5-15 minutes avoiding direct contact with the skin with your hands and warn not to touch, scratch, or rub the area with towels or sand.
"Always remember to follow the instructions of the Lifeguards to guarantee a safe experience at sea," says the department.
The Portuguese Man O War is aptly named after a warship. It uses part of an enlarged float filled with carbon monoxide and air as a sail to travel by wind for thousands of miles, dragging behind long tentacles that deliver a deadly venomous sting to fish.
