A Portuguese man o’ war has been spotted on Maltese shores earlier than expected this year, raising curiosity among locals and marine enthusiasts alike.The striking marine organism, often mistaken for a jellyfish but actually a floating siphonophore colony, was photographed beached at St. Julian’s by citizen scientist Johann Bellizzi. Marine biologist Alan Deidun shared the sighting, noting that while the timing is unusual, there’s no need for alarm.The Portuguese man o’ war (Physalia physalis), known in Italian as caravella del mare, is a regular seasonal visitor to Maltese waters. These colonies typically appear between March and May, carried eastwards from the Atlantic by strong westerly and north-westerly winds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)This year’s early arrival is likely linked to persistent strong westerlies recorded in recent weeks, including consecutive storms that swept across the Iberian Peninsula. These weather patterns can push the wind-driven organisms further into the Mediterranean earlier than normal.Despite their beauty, Portuguese man o’ wars are known for their painful stings, which can remain active even after the organism washes ashore. Beachgoers are advised to avoid touching them and to report sightings when possible.The public is encouraged to contribute to ongoing monitoring efforts through the “Spot the Jellyfish” citizen science campaign, which helps researchers track the presence and movement of jellyfish and jellyfish-like species around the Maltese Islands.For more information or to report a sighting, visit ocean.mt/jellyfish/public.Credit: @marinebiologymalta•