Warning as dangerous jellyfish spotted in popular West Cork lake

Swimmers have been encouraged to avoid a popular West Cork spot as a dangerous jellyfish has been spotted in the water.

As many as 100 Pelagia Mauve Stingers were spotted in the water at Lough Hyne near Skibbereen, Ireland’s first Marine Nature Reserve.

The mauve coloured jellyfish are a golden brown colour as juveniles, and swimmers in the lake, which is also popular for late-night kayaking, are encouraged to avoid both colours.

Skibbereeen Heritage centre shared the news online, writing: “Around 100 Pelagia Mauve Stingers recorded around the circumference of the South Basin in Lough Hyne, but moving northwards, so will affect swimmers at the Lough, so swimming is not advisable at present. Please spread the word.”

They later posted an update: “A lot of them are in the brown juvenile stage, so do take care as can still give quite a nasty sting and they are encroaching into the northern basin where people generally swim.”

Last year, thousands of Pelagia Mauve Stingers were spotted in Lough Hyne, with scientists warning that they pose a threat to other species and to humans.

More common in the Mediterranean, they have been seen with increasing frequency in Ireland and the UK.

Sea swimmers have been advised to stay out of the water, as the small purple jellyfish with long tentacles can emit a painful sting which can even scar.