The presence of Portuguese caravels has been prominent on the beaches of Santa Catarina, as well as on the coasts of São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul in recent weeks. Municipalities such as Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas, Itajaí, Balneário Rincão and Itapoá have witnessed the appearance of these marine creatures known for their toxicity.
The phenomenon is not new in the region, and experts explain that the presence of caravels on the coast is common between spring and the end of summer, when winds transport them from the high seas to the coast. At the end of January, caravels were in São Paulo and scared bathers on the state’s coast.
The increase in water temperature is also a contributing factor to the higher incidence of these creatures. Cases of medical care related to encounters with caravels were recorded by the Santa Catarina Fire Department this summer, including situations in which children were affected on Praia de Quatro Ilhas, in Bombinhas, and people presented suspected allergic reactions in Barra do Saí, in Itapoá.
Caravels, with their tentacles that can measure up to 30 meters, have the ability to inject a toxic venom, causing burning sensations in the skin, pain and injuries. The upper part of these organisms is made up of a colorful gelatinous sac, making them more visible when they are at sea, compared to jellyfish. Direct contact with this species is not recommended due to its potential toxicity.