Thousands of jellyfish gathering along Rhode Island coast

Rhode Island is seeing a mysterious increase in the number of Atlantic Sea Nettle jellyfish along the state’s coast, according to its Division of Fish and Wildlife Outdoor Education.

In a Facebook post published Tuesday, the department said the number of jellyfish has “increased to the thousands as water temperatures have risen” within the last month along the Ninigret and Green Hill Ponds in Charlestown, which is located along the state’s southern coast.

According to Aquarium of the Pacific, sea nettle jellyfish are generally found near the East Coast, the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Scientists are unsure why the number of jellyfish have grown so rapidly near the area, but they expect to see fewer jellyfish within the next few months.

“While their high abundance in the ponds this summer is not fully understood, their numbers are expected to decline as the summer goes on,” the department said in its post.

The department said that though sea nettle jellyfish stings are not fatal, they can cause some discomfort and itchiness. 

In the meantime, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is asking people to use “common sense and caution” and outlined guidance on what to do if a person gets stung. For those who plan to go to the coastal Ninigret and Green Hill Ponds, Rhode Island suggests people bring first aid kits, including vinegar.