Funny business washed ashore along north clare

Hi I just returned from a wee trip to the White strand near Spanish point/ miltown malbay, co clare. I just met a local auld fella, he said there was 'pollution' along the fanore and further up the coast, smells brutal and looks like a little blue critter washed ashore in the millions.... He said he was looking to see if they had been washed ashore on this beach and he proceeded to check. No luck, but I asked if they might be louse or fish lice. He said no. I have no picks as they were not on the beach. What could this be I asked would it be in the news etc. He said ' sure aliens could invade here and there'd be no coverage in the news' god bless him. Lol. If it's a gag well done he got me if not he has me asking here if anyone else knows anything. Any feedback welcome.

Sounds weird alright,maybe he drank too much moon shine I hear that stuff can make u see strange stuff 

Velella or "By the wind sailors" as they are more commonly known as are a species of jelly fish and are certainly small,blue and come ashore in thousands depending on wind and current.

Yeah heard by the wind sailors had got washed up along parts of the clare coast

this is what they look like
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=by+the ... 64&bih=677

Fished around that area last weekend and saw thousands of them on the beach too. The photos on the link above are definitely what I saw anyway.

These are cool looking do they affect the fishing?

No adverse effect as far as i can determine. Frequently washed up on areas where i catch Bass.

Thanks guys, you know I've seen them plenty over the years, just not in such quantities. There was high winds over the past couple of days, all onshore around the clare coast. Problem solved. At least it's not aliens lol

they are mad looking things alright and there were litterally thousands ber square metre in places 2 weekends ago

they are mad looking things alright and there were litterally thousands ber square metre in places 2 weekends ago

Weird little criters

Not the same species but I do remember one year back in the 1980s when Belfast Lough was full of red jellyfish. It was the best year I recall for mackerel in the lough. Also, super year for thornies.

there are plenty of them along the coast here, mind you there are plenty of strange folk along the coast here aswell

never seen them before, wierd wee things!