Blue invaders are storming area beaches. Portuguese man-of-wars seem to be washing up on Navarre Beach in greater numbers than usual this winter.

“There may be many reasons for the increased amounts of them in the Gulf this year,”  said Wendy Bear, an assistant regional biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  “Changes in water temperature or increased presence of their food source are both considerations. It seems that (more man-of-wars are in area waters when) we have cold weather for longer periods of time. They are always in the ocean but we see more of them during the winter season.”

For more on this story, see the Feb. 5 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.