By Joseph Sapia
AS THE BOSTON whaler slowly cruised the murky green water off Monmouth Beach’s Columbus Drive, state scientist Gary A. Buchanan picked out a needle in a haystack – or, more precisely, noticing the dimesized jellyfish in the Shrewsbury River.
It was the object of the twoboat search, the clinging jellyfish, small but with a powerful sting that could land a person in the hospital in severe pain. Tiny, but easily identifiable by the X across its clear back.
On a partner boat, Dena Restaino, a Montclair University doctoral student, netted the jellyfish. It will go back to the college laboratory for study.
In this particular area, the scientists from the college and the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) knew where to look. On June 19, about 45 were observed off a nearby residential dock at Columbus Drive.
Scientists this week began formally studying the Shrewsbury River to determine the extent there of nonnative clinging jellyfish. In a two-hour search on this day, two were found, both off Columbus Drive.
“They’ve been mostly localized around Monmouth Beach, the southern end (of the river),” said Joseph J. Bilinski, a research scientist in the DEP’s Bureau of Environmental Assessment. “They’re really localized in a preferred habitat.”
AS THE BOSTON whaler slowly cruised the murky green water off Monmouth Beach’s Columbus Drive, state scientist Gary A. Buchanan picked out a needle in a haystack – or, more precisely, noticing the dimesized jellyfish in the Shrewsbury River.
It was the object of the twoboat search, the clinging jellyfish, small but with a powerful sting that could land a person in the hospital in severe pain. Tiny, but easily identifiable by the X across its clear back.
On a partner boat, Dena Restaino, a Montclair University doctoral student, netted the jellyfish. It will go back to the college laboratory for study.
In this particular area, the scientists from the college and the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) knew where to look. On June 19, about 45 were observed off a nearby residential dock at Columbus Drive.
Scientists this week began formally studying the Shrewsbury River to determine the extent there of nonnative clinging jellyfish. In a two-hour search on this day, two were found, both off Columbus Drive.
“They’ve been mostly localized around Monmouth Beach, the southern end (of the river),” said Joseph J. Bilinski, a research scientist in the DEP’s Bureau of Environmental Assessment. “They’re really localized in a preferred habitat.”
On June 15, a 20-year-old man was hospitalized with a clinging jellyfish sting or stings in the Shrewsbury River at Monmouth Beach, according to the division. On that same day, a Monmouth Beach lagoon owner observed several and Montclair State University later collected about seven in that area.
Clinging jellyfish have “strong toxins,” so they can cause cramping and slurred speech, said Paul Bologna, a Montclair State biology professor. But a sting has never resulted in a known death, only temporary symptoms including severe pain, said John Gaynor, another Montclair State biology professor.
Clinging jellyfish have “strong toxins,” so they can cause cramping and slurred speech, said Paul Bologna, a Montclair State biology professor. But a sting has never resulted in a known death, only temporary symptoms including severe pain, said John Gaynor, another Montclair State biology professor.
Other Shrewsbury River reports, according to the division, include:
• June 18, seven at Oceanport.
• June 19, an unconfirmed report of one in 3 feet of water about 20 yards offshore from Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright, or at the confluence of the Navesink River.
• June 20, 50 collected in shallow water by resident a Monmouth Beach resident and given to Montclair State.
• June 21, 30 collected in shallow water at Patricia Court, Monmouth Beach.
On June 9, one was collected in the Manasquan River near the entrance to the Point Pleasant Canal, which leads to the Metedeconk River and the upper reaches of Barnegat Bay.
• June 18, seven at Oceanport.
• June 19, an unconfirmed report of one in 3 feet of water about 20 yards offshore from Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright, or at the confluence of the Navesink River.
• June 20, 50 collected in shallow water by resident a Monmouth Beach resident and given to Montclair State.
• June 21, 30 collected in shallow water at Patricia Court, Monmouth Beach.
On June 9, one was collected in the Manasquan River near the entrance to the Point Pleasant Canal, which leads to the Metedeconk River and the upper reaches of Barnegat Bay.
The June 9 report is the first confirmed of clinging jellyfish in New Jersey, according to the DEP. Now, the state is trying to figure out how spread out are they in New Jersey waters.
The preferred habitat of Gonionemus vertens – native to the Asian Pacific Ocean, but naturalized on parts of the East Coast – is shallow water of 8 inches to 24 inches with vegetation such as eelgrass or algae and a food supply of grass shrimp and fish larvae. The water would have a low velocity and lower salt content, Bilinski said.
Because of these various factors, they do not appear to be a threat to the Atlantic Ocean or Raritan Bay, locally.
Brian Carlucci, 26, of Sea Bright said he has seen clinging jellyfish in the Shrewsbury River and is avoiding the river for swimming.
“I’m just waiting to hear what’s going on,” Carlucci said. “The ocean’s good enough for me. I’ll swim in that for the time being.”
The preferred habitat of Gonionemus vertens – native to the Asian Pacific Ocean, but naturalized on parts of the East Coast – is shallow water of 8 inches to 24 inches with vegetation such as eelgrass or algae and a food supply of grass shrimp and fish larvae. The water would have a low velocity and lower salt content, Bilinski said.
Because of these various factors, they do not appear to be a threat to the Atlantic Ocean or Raritan Bay, locally.
Brian Carlucci, 26, of Sea Bright said he has seen clinging jellyfish in the Shrewsbury River and is avoiding the river for swimming.
“I’m just waiting to hear what’s going on,” Carlucci said. “The ocean’s good enough for me. I’ll swim in that for the time being.”
The state has contracted with Montclair State for a 30-day study costing $30,000, said Bob Considine, a DEP spokesman. The study began the week of June 26, with Shrewsbury River work beginning Wednesday, July 6.
“We do not know if these recent reports of clinging jellyfish are isolated or if they are becoming established in areas of the state,” said Buchanan, director of the Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health.
“Given that this species has not been recorded in New Jersey, we need to understand the distribution and life history to establish a baseline,” Bologna said.
When the clinging jellyfish are caught, their DNA can be compared with the DNA of clinging jellyfish from the native Asian Pacific Ocean or of clinging jellyfish established elsewhere on the East Coast, Bilinski said.
The study includes trawling for clinging jellyfish and placing artificial sea grass mats to capture the species. Depending on the study results, which are to be released publicly, the state could authorize more work involving the clinging jellyfish.
“We do not know if these recent reports of clinging jellyfish are isolated or if they are becoming established in areas of the state,” said Buchanan, director of the Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health.
“Given that this species has not been recorded in New Jersey, we need to understand the distribution and life history to establish a baseline,” Bologna said.
When the clinging jellyfish are caught, their DNA can be compared with the DNA of clinging jellyfish from the native Asian Pacific Ocean or of clinging jellyfish established elsewhere on the East Coast, Bilinski said.
The study includes trawling for clinging jellyfish and placing artificial sea grass mats to capture the species. Depending on the study results, which are to be released publicly, the state could authorize more work involving the clinging jellyfish.
“It’s a good idea and the right first step,” said Tim Dillingham, executive director of the Sandy Hook-based American Littoral Society environmental group. “We also need to focus on why.”
Clinging jellyfish have a red, orange or violet cross across its middle. They can have 60 to 90 tentacles. Also, they cling on vegetation during sunlight, but travel at night and cloudy days to feed, primarily on zooplankton.
“We’re encouraging people, if they see it, to report it to NJDEP,” said Lauren E. Brajer, communication and program coordinator for the Clean Ocean Action environmental group, based on Sandy Hook.
In an ongoing project, Montclair State is studying if native sea slugs will eat the polyp phase of sea nettle jellyfish, a native that has been a problem in Barnegat Bay, Bilinski said. Now, the study will expand to see if sea slugs will eat clinging jellyfish polyps, Bilinski said.
Also, lab observance suggests sea nettles will eat clinging jellyfish, Gaynor said. Gaynor noted there were “a lot of sea nettles” in the Shrewsbury.
Clinging jellyfish have a red, orange or violet cross across its middle. They can have 60 to 90 tentacles. Also, they cling on vegetation during sunlight, but travel at night and cloudy days to feed, primarily on zooplankton.
“We’re encouraging people, if they see it, to report it to NJDEP,” said Lauren E. Brajer, communication and program coordinator for the Clean Ocean Action environmental group, based on Sandy Hook.
In an ongoing project, Montclair State is studying if native sea slugs will eat the polyp phase of sea nettle jellyfish, a native that has been a problem in Barnegat Bay, Bilinski said. Now, the study will expand to see if sea slugs will eat clinging jellyfish polyps, Bilinski said.
Also, lab observance suggests sea nettles will eat clinging jellyfish, Gaynor said. Gaynor noted there were “a lot of sea nettles” in the Shrewsbury.
“That’s probably the first good news we’ve heard about sea nettles,” Gaynor said.
Clinging jellyfish were found in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in 1894 and are now established there. They also have been found on the eastern end of Long Island.
“It’s likely they came in on the bottom of the ship or the bilge water,” Dillingham said. “Ships take ballast, pump in, pump out.”
The division recommends if stung, one should apply white vinegar to immobilize stinging cells and rinse the area with saltwater and remove tentacles with gloves, thick towel or by scraping with a credit-type card. A hot compress or cold pack can be applied for pain. Medical attention may be necessary.
“The most immediate impact is on people’s ability to enjoy the water,” Dillingham said. “I think the bigger issue is where and why we’re seeing these jellyfish. We don’t know how well they’re going to survive (here) in what conditions.”
None of the researchers has been stung by a clinging jellyfish, Gaynor said.
“I think that’s a good thing,” Gaynor said, “I don’t want to be the guinea pig.”
Clinging jellyfish were found in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in 1894 and are now established there. They also have been found on the eastern end of Long Island.
“It’s likely they came in on the bottom of the ship or the bilge water,” Dillingham said. “Ships take ballast, pump in, pump out.”
The division recommends if stung, one should apply white vinegar to immobilize stinging cells and rinse the area with saltwater and remove tentacles with gloves, thick towel or by scraping with a credit-type card. A hot compress or cold pack can be applied for pain. Medical attention may be necessary.
“The most immediate impact is on people’s ability to enjoy the water,” Dillingham said. “I think the bigger issue is where and why we’re seeing these jellyfish. We don’t know how well they’re going to survive (here) in what conditions.”
None of the researchers has been stung by a clinging jellyfish, Gaynor said.
“I think that’s a good thing,” Gaynor said, “I don’t want to be the guinea pig.”
