Stingrays visit Girgaum beach

Mumbai: Devotees visiting Girgaum Chowpatty during the immersion of Ganesha idols need to beware as stingrays and jellyfish were seen on the beach on Thursday evening. Juvenile stingrays, known for their painful stings, along with a few adults were spotted by visitors and fishermen, along with juvenile butterfly rays.

Pradip Patade, a marine enthusiast who conducts regular marine walks on Mumbai’s shore, visited the spot on Thursday after receiving the information.

 “I got to know from a friend that box jellyfish along with stingrays were there at Girgaum beach. They wash ashore at Mumbai’s beaches during the monsoon. When I went to the beach, a fisherman showed me a fishnet entangled with these organisms,” said Mr. Patade. According to marine experts, the female stingrays come to the city’s shores to give birth in the shallow waters during this season. Stingrays have been spotted on Girgaum beach as well as it provides them with a suitable environment along with adequate gastropods and bivalve that serve as its prey.

While the butterfly rays are not harmful, the sting of stingrays is known to cause extreme pain and irritation.  It is advisable to avoid entering the waters during the occurrence of these organisms.

“In case of a sting from the stingrays and jellyfish, one should pour lukewarm water on the affected body part and avoid rubbing it. The person should be immediately rushed to the nearby hospital for check-up,” he said.