Tourists in Goa warned of toxic ‘bluebottles’ near beaches

Panaji, July 18 (IANS) The beach-bound tourists in Goa, especially who love to wade into the sea, have been advised to steer clear of 'Portuguese-man-of-war', the toxic, jelly-like organisms known to sting humans on contact.

The warning was issued after Drishti Lifesaving, a Goa government appointed lifeguard service, spotted a cluster of Portuguese-man-of-war, a jelly-like marine organism commonly known as bluebottle, which washed ashore along the Candolim-Sinquerim beach stretch on Tuesday.

The spotted bluebottle was less than an inch in size, Drishti Lifesaving mentioned in its advisory.

"Drishti Lifesaving advises locals as well as the tourists not to venture into the sea along the Candolim and Sinquerim stretch as the bluebottles could possibly be present in the waters or along the shoreline," the life guard service said.

"Even wading into the waters is not advisable during the monsoon months as the sea and weather conditions are not favourable for swimming," the advisory added.

This is only the second time in recent years that bluebottles have been spotted in sea waters off Goa beaches. The last time was in 2014.

The Candolim-Sinquerim stretch is a beach belt, adjoining the popular Calangute beach.

Goa is a popular beach tourism destination and its beaches attract more than four million tourists annually.

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