What were the "snail looking" creatures on the beach last week?

[Chiofam]

I've got a question for all you long time residents. I took my 3 boys to Inlet Beach last week, and there was a purple flag up. I know that it's for "dangerous marine life", but read somewhere that it does not refer to sharks. There were other people swimming, so I assumed it was okay after not seeing anything in the water "dangerous". We went for a walk and came across literally hundreds to a thousand things that were on the beach and in the water that looked like snails, but not in shells. Can someone tell me what they are for future reference.

 

[Kurt]

As far as I know all the purple flags this year have been for jellyfish. Usually this is the case unless we have red tide which there is no mention of yet this year.

Sharks are always present and they are color blind so they don't even know what purple is.

 

[Smiling JOe]

They didn't seem to bother me. They are some sort of sea slug, and I've been thinking that they look like they would taste great in a pasta dish, but I want to do a little research before I try that.

 

[organicmama]

They didn't seem to bother me. They are some sort of sea slug, and I've been thinking that they look like they would taste great in a pasta dish, but I want to do a little research before I try that.

I hope you are kidding.

 

[rdelong43065]

They didn't seem to bother me. They are some sort of sea slug, and I've been thinking that they look like they would taste great in a pasta dish, but I want to do a little research before I try that.

It would really depend on the type of sauce.

 

[yippie]

I hope you are kidding.

Gross. I am with you on that one! Just gross.

Purple flags mean Marine Life Present. Usually jelly fish. I haven't seen them fly a purple flag for sharks, however, I have seen the lifeguard herd people out of the water when sharks are present.

Smiling Joe, you don't cook at a restaurant do you? If so, please post which one it is so it can be avoided!!!

 

[rdelong43065]

Yes, the purple flags are there for the jellyfish. Actually when SWFD posts the flags, they have a choice of jellyfish, red tide or sea lice. They will appear on the SWFD web site along with the flag color. There will be a link you can go to for more information as well.

www.swfd.org

 

[Smiling JOe]

Purple flags mean Marine Life Present.

Slight correction, "Dangerous Marine Life Present"

No, I don't cook for a restaurant, but those slugs are probably very salty, and have the texture of clams. I bet they would be tasty if pan sauteed in a little butter. Yummy, if determined not to be toxic.

 

[Chiofam]

They didn't seem to bother me. They are some sort of sea slug, and I've been thinking that they look like they would taste great in a pasta dish, but I want to do a little research before I try that.

They bothered me, they were kind of squirmy. You should try them spread on toast first. ;-)

 

[Chiofam]

Yes, the purple flags are there for the jellyfish. Actually when SWFD posts the flags, they have a choice of jellyfish, red tide or sea lice. They will appear on the SWFD web site along with the flag color. There will be a link you can go to for more information as well.

www.swfd.org

Great, now I have to worry about sea lice?? Thanks for the info really. I learn something new every day.