Found thousands of these translucent blue, plastic-looking ovals washed up on the beach today. They have a stiff fin on top and blue jelly underneath. Are they dangerous?

group of specialized polyps that function together as a single entity. Each Velella has a stiff, translucent sail that protrudes from the top, allowing them to catch the wind and drift across ocean currents. Underneath this sail lies a gelatinous body that is home to their feeding and reproductive structures.

Velella velella can be distinguished from other jellyfish by several key characteristics. Unlike the typical umbrella-shaped bell of a jellyfish, Velella have a flat, oval body with a rigid, triangular sail