AN ‘unusual’ mass stranding of sea creatures were discovered on a beach in Bournemouth.
Paul Godier, from Bournemouth, captured images of what he believes were hundreds of thousands of ‘by the wind sailors’ on Boscombe beach, creatures that are reportedly linked to Portuguese Man O’ Wars.
From researching online, Paul believes that these ‘by the wind sailors’ are relatively regular on the coasts of the USA and sometimes Cornwall, but he has never spotted them here and describes their appearance as ‘unusual’.
He added that during weather events with strong winds they can be washed ashore in large numbers.
Paul said: “I have lived her for 20 years. I walk along the shore everyday and I have never seen these before.”
“It was just a phenomenon of the storm. It was a violent storm and it has swept a lot of things on the shore.”
Paul added that after the creatures are beached, they quickly begin to dry out and a smell is created due to their decomposition.
Additionally, he said that many believe they are individual animals. However, it is believed that Velella Velella work as one community.
He said: “They are amazing. They are a community of creatures, they are not one animal.”
By-the-wind Sailors, also known as velella velella, are blown through the sea thanks to small rigid ”sails’ on their body.
Mass strandings have previously been reported in Hayle, Cornwall, and on the west coast of Ireland.
The sea creatures are not poisonous but can cause a mild sting that irritates the skin.
Members of the public are advised not to touch them, and not to touch their face, mouth or eyes after making physical contact.