V.I. National Park officials are warning swimmers to be on the lookout for jellyfish in the waters around St. John, especially on the North Shore.
Judy Shafer, acting park superintendent, said there have been reports of people being stung. Some of the calls came from Caneel Bay Resort, she said.
Jellyfish often appear in larger-than-usual numbers in V.I. waters during August and September, Shafer said.
Moon jellyfish, the most common type found locally, produce a mild sting that causes discomfort for a short time. Two less-common types, the Sea Wasp and Portuguese Man-O-War, can cause a more severe reaction.
The Planning and Natural Resources Department issued a warning in early July about the Warty jellyfish, a tiny but highly toxic pinkish-color jellyfish.
For current information about the presence of jellyfish in the waters around St. John, call Paul Thomas at 776-6201, ext. 252.
