Strange Blue Creatures Wash Up in Monterey Bay

Monterey bay is California is known for its coast line and diverse aquatic ecosystem. Sometimes, animals end up getting stranded on shore, causing a bit of panic for the people living around the area. a spectacular even happened when parts of the bay were covered with hundreds of thousands of bright electric blue sea creatures that resemble glass.

These strange cnidarians, which belong to the same animal phylum as jellyfish and corals, are known as Velella velella and were washed up to shore by strong winds. These creatures are commonly seen floating on or near the surface of temperate and warm waters. Beach goers try to avoid these animals as they make their way into the water, but they’re actually not dangerous. In fact, their stings aren’t harmful or irritating.

This isn’t the first time these creatures were seen in Monterey bay. According to Nancy Black, a marine biologist, the last time these animals were seen washed up in shore was 8 years ago. Velella velellas have an erect triangle-shaped sail and a flat clear float that catches the wind to help move them around. It’s not strange to see them in shore lines during late spring or early summer, which is right after they start to bloom. The presence of these creatures in Monterey bay after almost a decade of absence is puzzling to researchers and scientist. However, according to the scientist Rich Mooi from an interview in LA Times, their reappearance doesn’t indicate anything that we should be alarmed of and that it doesn’t necessary mean that there’s something wrong with the ocean’s behavior.