Itchy Sea Lice Off Ocean City Spark Concerns

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Sea lice, which can irritate skin and cause rashes, were discovered recently in the water off Ocean City, Avalon and Stone Harbor Beaches, according to the New Jersey Sierra Club. Outside of their effects on humans, the environmental-advocacy group has concerns about how climate change and New Jersey's stormwater-runoff laws.

Sea lice are a larvae of jellyfish — typically thimble jellyfish — according to the Sierra Club. They can cause burning sensations and rashes, and severe cases can require medical treatment.

Tropical Storm Isaias likely pushed the stinging jellyfish larvae from New Jersey to Florida, according to Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

"When the water is warmer, they tend to migrate," Tittel told Patch. "It’s a combination of warmer ocean water because of climate change and more nutrients because of stormwater runoff."

Stormwater pollution combined with sewer overflow, septic runoff and nutrient pollution during the storm, Tittel says, filling the water off New Jersey with nutrients that attract sea lice.

Tittel said the state weakened restrictions on stormwater runoff during when Chris Christie served as governor. But he also blamed Governor Phil Murphy for not fixing "failed policies that are increasing water pollution."

"Jellyfish are a warning signal that there are problems with both warm water and water quality and that things are going to get worse,” said Jeff Tittel. “This is a direct result of the state’s failure to deal with fertilizer runoff, leaky sewer pipes, and septics.”

Patch reached out to an Ocean City spokesperson for comment and will update with any response.

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