The sailboat (Velella Velella) is back on the beaches of Viana do Castelo, namely Paçô beach, in Carreço, according to the latest update of the GelaVista project, from the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA)
As O MINHO has reported, it is a floating monotypic being with toxins and a triangular structure that looks like a sail. Despite being considered harmless, it can cause allergies to people with more sensitive skin.
According to IPMA, the appearance of this hydrozoan animal on the Portuguese coast, particularly in Minho, is a common occurrence. The distribution of this species occurs all over the world.
It has a floating chamber and a sail, resembling a sailboat
According to Porto Editora’s Dictionary of the Portuguese Language, since 2020, Velella Velella is registered with the definition: “a hydrozoan coelenterate, found free-floating in warm and temperate marine waters”.
“It can reach around seven centimeters in length and has a bluish buoyancy chamber, topped by a rigid, translucent triangular structure that remains above the water surface (allowing movement due to the wind) and small stinging tentacles hanging from the bottom. ”.
Never caused anyone health problems
The sea institute admits that “there is no evidence of burns or associated health problems, which is why it is considered harmless”. However, it may cause a brief allergic reaction in people with greater sensitivity.
The IPMA warns that as it has small tentacles that are “slightly stinging”, it is “advisable to avoid direct contact with them in order to avoid potential allergic reactions, in case of greater sensitivity”.
The ‘cousin’ Portuguese man-of-war is the one that cannot be touched
As we know, especially because MINHO has reported, there are cnidarians that are quite toxic, and one of them has a name that tells us a lot – Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis) -, as it has a shape associated with the caravel, and has also appeared on Portuguese beaches in the last week, but this time none in Minho.
IPMA explains that these two species can be confused because they have some similarities, such as their bluish color and the fact that they float on the surface of the sea, and are often seen on our coast in summer, and highlights the differences.
Differences between Sailboat and Portuguese Caravel
Velella Velella (sailboat): float in the shape of a flattened triangular “sail”, small in size (1 to 8 cm), short tentacles. In most cases it does not pose a danger to bathers, but it can cause allergies or irritation.IPMA
Physalia physalis (Portuguese caravel): “balloon”-shaped float, generally larger than the Sailboat. With 30m tentacles, they are very stinging, capable of causing serious burns and other problems in people with weaker health.
