Blue buttons spotted on Juhu beach signal monsoon’s arrival

The presence of this species highlights the rich biodiversity found along Mumbai’s beaches.

Visitors to Juhu beach in Mumbai, particularly marine enthusiasts, have recently been delighted to spot large numbers of Blue Buttons (Porpita porpita) - a strikingly beautiful marine species on the beach in large numbers. Experts told Mid-Day that sightings of this marine animal occur annually along Mumbai's coastline, typically a few weeks ahead of the monsoon.

The presence of this species highlights the rich biodiversity found along Mumbai's beaches. Marine experts and conservationists are now calling for increased public awareness about such seasonal phenomena and the broader ecological significance they represent.

Commonly referred to as Blue Buttons, Porpita porpita are small marine animals found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. In Mumbai, they tend to arrive on the city's shores just before the onset of the monsoon. Traditional fishing communities have even regarded them as natural indicators of the approaching rainy season.

Shaunak Modi, Marine Ecologist and Director of the Coastal Conservation Foundation, explained:
"As strong pre-monsoon onshore winds start, they bring ashore a lot of things that are floating in the open ocean. In Mumbai, the first onhsore winds which start between March and May, bring millions of Blue buttons (Porpita porpita) which can be seen washed ashore on our beaches and rocky shores.These are small pelagic animals; which means they live in open waters. But unlike other animals, they have little to no control over their movement and spend their lives floating on the water's surface. As the winds change, they're all pushed towards land and can be seen on our shores by the thousands every day.These animals are closely related to jellyfish but unlike them, they don't sting and pose no harm to humans."

Wildlife photographer and marine life enthusiast Karan Solanki also recently visited Juhu beach in the hopes of capturing this seasonal phenomenon.
"Recently, I visited Juhu Beach in Mumbai to photograph a very special monsoon visitor - Porpita porpita, also known as the Blue Button. This beautiful creature appears along Mumbai's shores (with the help of winds & ocean currents) every year and is considered a symbol of the arrival of the monsoon season in India.It is frequently observed or spotted by marine-life enthusiasts on beaches like Juhu and Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai during this time."