Jellyfish invading Florida’s west coast? “Never seen so many” says Sarasota fishermen… “Hanging off the line” while reeling in — “Associated with poor water quality”

Currents steering sea nettles our way

STAFF PHOTO / MIKE LANG

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A sea nettle drifts through New Pass with the incoming tide on Tuesday morning. Luckily, the jellyfish with the long stinging tentacles seem to be staying away from Sarasota beaches.

By Kate Spinner

Published: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.

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SARASOTA COUNTY - In Sarasota Bay and some waters offshore, sea nettles are causing pain.

Driven by ocean currents, the jellyfish with the long stinging tentacles have been spotted from Fort Myers to St. Petersburg Beach. But luckily for swimmers in Sarasota, they seem to be staying away from the beach.

"I wouldn't say it's anything dangerous or severe, but there's a lot of them," said Gary Gilliland, an area charter fishing captain who has never seen so many nettles in his decades of fishing here.

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