Marine officials say that there has been an increase in the population of clinging jellyfish found at the Jersey Shore.

The dangerous species of jellyfish was recently discovered in New Jersey. Although they are very small, their toxin is very strong.

Marine biologists at Montclair State University have been investigating sightings of the sea creatures ever since they were discovered. Clinging jellyfish are typically found in the waters on the West Coast, but were found in the Garden State at the beginning of June.

Clinging jellyfish are mainly found in calm waters, such as rivers or bays. They typically stay near the bottom of the water during sunlight and emerge to feed when it gets dark.

A person who is stung by a clinging jellyfish may require a trip to the hospital. 

"The worst-case scenario is kidney failure...so pretty significant," Dr. Paul Bologna, director of Marine Biology at Montclair State previously told News 12 New Jersey.

A 20-year-old Lincroft man was hospitalized last week after getting stung while swimming in the Shrewsbury River. Matt Carlo says that after he was stung his whole body hurt, and he was given morphine for the pain.

Although there has been an increase in sightings of the clinging jellyfish, some people who visited the shore told News 12 New Jersey that it won't prevent them from swimming.

"I don't think it'll stop me much from going in the water, unless I have a personal experience with one of them," says Lavallette resident Brendan Dor.

But some parents do say that they may change how much time their children spend in the water this summer.