The City of North Wildwood was notified yesterday about the presence of clinging jellyfish in a non-swimming tidal pool, adjacent to the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. This tidal pool is in an environmentally sensitive area that has never been open for swimming. The approximate location of the tidal pool is located between Surf and Central Avenues, immediately abutting the North Wildwood AngleSea Wall. Residents and visitors should heed the warning signs and not enter this area or the saltwater tidal pond for any reason.
The Clinging Jellyfish is an invasive species native to the South Pacific Ocean that has been found throughout various areas of the State of New Jersey, as early as 2016. The Clinging Jellyfish is known to inhabit stagnant tidal pools/ponds and calm waters of the Back Bay. If you encounter a clinging jellyfish, avoid contact, DO NOT touch or try to collect it.
“Although the toxicity of the clinging jellyfish sting can be potent and produce pain and other localized symptoms, it is important to note that no fatalities have ever been documented for this species, and the area in which it is currently present in North Wildwood is NOT a designated bathing beach,” said Mayor Patrick Rosenello. “Residents and visitors are reminded to use caution when in the back-bays, never swim in clearly marked NO SWIMMING areas, such as the saltwater tidal pond between Surf and Central Avenues, and ONLY swim at designated guarded beaches within the City of North Wildwood during Lifeguard hours of operation,” said Mayor Rosenello.
