NJ/NY Beaches - Jellyfish Question?

[Hillbeans]

We just got back from another fabulous week of vacation in Ocean city NJ and we had great weather, the beaches were spotless, and the crowds were as big if not bigger than last year.

But has anyone else noticed a lot more Jellyfish in the water or is it just my imagination? Is there any way to get rid of them or do they serve some kind of purpose that i'm not aware of? Is it because of the time of year, pollution, or something else?

It's not as if they stopped me from going in the Ocean on my vacation, but they sure are gross to bump up against!

 

[Jpgirl]

You bumped up against them?? We have jellyfish and ManO'Wars here and they both sting!! Really curious about what you were running into. Those stings are painful!! We carry meat tenderizer to the beach

 

[N&B'smom]

I grew up in OC and the jellies just show up at certain times of the season. Now I live just a few minutes away from OC but I haven't been to the beach there all summer. I have been to Longport and Atlantic City (last week) and there weren't any jellies.

I'm glad you didn't let them keep you from enjoying your stay!!

Shelby

 

[LBAK]

Mid-August through September is jellyfish season. They're all over. Doesn't stop us from swimming but we do watch where we go in the water.

 

[Hillbeans]

In NJ we have mostly the clear ones, and they are sized about 2 inch diameter to about 5 inch diameter. I don't recall getting stung by them, they kind of just bump off of your legs or arms in the water.

I did see just a few that had some pink strings in them, and they could probably sting you if you stepped on it or grabbed it.

 

[Banshee]

Every year this time of year the jellyfish exodus begins the warmer water's along the coast line draw them in. Also in our local paper people have been sighting lot's more shark's this year than normal. They attributed it to the warmer water's and the sharks following the prey fish in. What is scary though is that a lot of the sightings were bullsharks and some were sighted in the back bays!! Your lucky you didnt get stung! My DSIL cant even go in the water with jelly fish she get's very itchy and that's not even coming into actual physical contact with them. White vinegar works too for the sting.

 

[gina2000]

We were down at LBI last week and there were alot of baby jellyfish....the white ones with clear centers. They don't sting. Once they mature (red centers and white outer areas), they sting and hurt. The kids were throwing the babies at each other while they were surfing and waiting to catch a good wave.

August is traditionally jellyfish time. This year there were alot of babies. I've been down the shore sometimes when they're mature and you really have to avoid them or get stung.

 

[CEDmom]

We were at Jenkinson's last week and there were lots of jellyfish in the water. I guess they were babies because they were tiny and didn't have tenicles.

 

[GeorgeG]

The sea has many creatures and they don't all mix well with humans. Except for sharks and toxic or medical waste, the authorities don't put up warnings or close the beaches lest they scare away tourists. The best thing to do is observe others for a while before going in the water. If they're getting jittery, you might want to ask why.

 

[nja33]

My DSIL cant even go in the water with jelly fish she get's very itchy and that's not even coming into actual physical contact with them.

That's the worst part to me. I can deal with them as long as they're the clear ones but the second I get out of the water I itch and it drives me nuts. My aunts took me to Ocean City, MD a few years ago. Our hotel was only a block or 2 from the beach but we only spent about 2 hours there because of the jelly fish. We all itched so much we begged to go back to the hotel pool.

As for being stung, my brother was once stung in his *ahem* no no spot. Needless to say he now hates them and won't go in the water when they're there.

 

[gris gris]

I live on the CT shore and this year the jellies showed up in July. Normally it's August. Anyhow DD4 got stung a couple times but that didn't stop her from swimming! The beach attendants put vinegar on the stings.

We did go to a lake though and DD was pretty happy to swim with no jellies!

 

[Buckalew11]

Growing up on LBI, we liked this time of year (jellyfish season) because we went to the beach everyday and after the whole summer of going to the beach everyday, you start to get bored and we loved having warmer water and jellyfish to throw at each other and have jellyfish fights!! My older sister would not dare touch a jellyfish. So, being the little sister... LOL

 

[DawnA401]

We are going to Ocean City this weekend, a few jellyfish won't stop us. I just hope it doesn't rain. We like 58th St.. come and join us

 

[Mskanga]

We were in Wildwood the last week of July and they were all over the place the first couple of days , then after that they were gone , no more jelly fish.

 

[Hillbeans]

We are going to Ocean City this weekend, a few jellyfish won't stop us. I just hope it doesn't rain. We like 58th St.. come and join us

It's rained every day since we left OC last Saturday. This week is kind of a bummer but at least there are lots of other things to do down there if it rains. Hope it clears up for you and everyone there soon. We stayed at 22nd street this time. Have a great trip!

 

[tuckerkeys]

the reason for all of the sharks is b/c of all of the stingrays! last week in LBI they were estimating OVER 500,000 stingrays up & down the island! The reason for all of the stingrays is b/c they eat the baby clams that have been ALL OVER this summer, in the shorebreak. i have NEVER seen so many baby clams in my life! this is what the rays eat, and the sharks eat the rays. there were reports in Ship Bottom of surfers being " bumped" while on their boards, which is typically sharks but some people think the "bumps" are they rays. all up & down the beach the surfcaster fisherman were hooking into rays, thinking they got the catch of the year pulling them in! the jellys are annoying, but will soon be outta here. the warm water attracts them. i wont go in when it is as bad as it is now. it's like jellyfish soup. they should be out of here if we get some southern winds, and with the tropical storm coming this looks like it will help.

 

[deelam]

We were in Wildwood the last few weekends and I noticed allot of baby clams. I've never seen so many at the beach. So I guess it's possible that sting rays and sharks are there too. And did someone see Bull sharks, that is a scary thought.
What kind of sharks are usualy at the Jersey shore?

 

[jx3smom]

I noticed the pic of the 22nd street beach. I go to 15th St. beach every Sunday. The jelly fish didn't really show up until mid August and they were in Longport last Friday, too.

I'm glad you had fun in OC. I've lived here most of my life and love it.

 

[Banshee]

last week in LBI they were estimating OVER 500,000 stingrays up & down the island!

The last time we went to Ship Bottom every third wave or so was filled with stingray's. We enjoyed watching them and the dolphin's which were a little further out. We like going in the late afternoon when the crowd's die down some.

 

[Tiggeroo]

The reason for all of the stingrays is b/c they eat the baby clams that have been ALL OVER this summer, in the shorebreak. i have NEVER seen so many baby clams in my life!

yep the sand is like gravel filled with baby clams. The sharks have been very bad and they are the kind that make people nervous. The lifeguards actually pulled people out for sharks a couple times and they never do that.