NAPLES- Jellyfish cause swimmers to jump out of the water in Naples. Dozens of jellyfish gather in the water along the Naples Pier. 

 

Lisa Fletcher is visiting from Boston. She only has her toes in the water on Tuesday. 

"We've stayed here many many times and never had that problem before so we were shocked. At first, we thought they were bugs in the water," said Fletcher. 

 

Sitting near the shore, beachgoers like Lisa can't see much in the water, but walk on the Naples Pier and look down and you will see dozens of jellyfish clumped together. 

 

"We will see them when the water temperature changes which is what happened with the hurricane. Water temperature fluctuate," said Capt. Roger Jacobsen, City of Naples Harbor Master. 

 

Jellyfish stung Lisa's husband, John Fletcher, several times over the past 3 days. 

 

"I just dealt with alittle stinging pain and it has subsided by now," said Fletcher. 

 

This past Labor Day weekend, even more close encounters. Fox 4 is told more than 40 people jumped out of the water after complaining about the irritating invertebrates this weekend. The Safe and Healthy Children's Coalition of Collier County send Fox 4 pictures of their first fundraiser swim from Lowdermilk Park Beach to the Naples Pier. The group raised more than $3,000 dollars, but ended up using 6 gallons of vinegar to treat stings. 

 

"Some people were coming out with 20,30, 40 stings on them which is obviously way higher than normal, usually get stung once or twice," said Jacobsen. 

 

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, most jellyfish are harmless to humans, but can cause reactions ranging from mild rashes and in extreme cases, death from allergic reactions. The city says keep an eye out for jellyfish clogged water at all Naples beaches. 

 

"One kid was out there hollering saying something was stinging him. He was running must have been a jellyfish," said Darrell Holmes, fisherman.