Millions of By-the-Wind Sailors wash ashore on California beaches
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 3
Millions of By-the-Wind Sailors wash ashore on California beaches
12 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 3
Marine biologist Steven Haddock said strong winds drove the jelly-like creatures onto shores, with sightings also reported in Oregon and Washington.
The spring strandings happen every few years and can extend from Baja California to Alaska, but Haddock said the animals pose little risk to people handling them by the sail.
Velella velella live near the ocean surface, feed on plankton and are eaten by sea turtles and sunfish; once beached, they are usually near the end of their life cycle.
Could the mass stranding of Velella velella signal deeper changes in ocean health or be an early warning of climate-driven disruptions?
How might these recurring beach invasions affect local ecosystems, tourism, or even human health in ways we haven't considered?