With two separate beach and swimming warnings in effect from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, this Memorial Day weekend may be a better day for beachside grilling than for snorkeling and swimming.
Because of the past few days’ heavy rains, DPNR’s Division of Environmental Protection anticipates problems caused by storm-water runoff. On Friday DPNR issued a notice advising the public to refrain from using the waters throughout the territory until these effects subside. There may be an elevated health risk to anyone swimming in storm-water-impacted areas as a result of increased concentrations of bacteria.
Storm-water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health. So, DPNR is advising parents to instruct their children to keep away from storm-water-impacted beaches, manholes and storm-water flooding and for everyone to avoid areas of storm-water runoff, like guts, puddles, and drainage basins.
On the Big Island, the St. Croix East End Marine Park, a program within DPNR’s Division of Coastal Zone Management, issued an advisory Wednesday about recent sightings of Portuguese Man-of-War jellyfish in Turner’s Hole and Great Pond Bay. The jellyfish have been seen both in the water and on shore. The jellyfish are pink or purple, translucent with numerous long, stinging tentacles.
The tentacles remain toxic and can produce a sting even after washed ashore. As such, the tentacles should be avoided if a Portuguese Man-of-War is encountered in the water or along the shoreline. If stung, affected skin areas can be rinsed with seawater (fresh water will set off more stinging cells) or household vinegar. If a serious reaction results from the stings, medical attention should be sought. For more information please call the marine park at 773-3367 or DPNR’s Division of Fish and Wildlife at 773-1082.
For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.
