Unusual jellyfish boom seen in UK seas

 Unusual jellyfish boom seen in UK seas

A study conducted by the Marine Conservation Society found that in the last year, there was a 32% rise in the quantity of jellyfish seen in UK waterways and on beaches.

Huge barrel jellyfish were the most often seen, however warm-water crystal jellyfish were also seldom sighted.

Although jellyfish populations naturally fluctuate over time, favorable circumstances are being created by climate change as the UK's oceans warm.

The UK's sea temperatures rose by around 3–4 degrees Celsius in June due to a maritime heatwave.

Scientists are concerned as a number of records set this year indicate that global warming has increased by 1.1C since humanity started using fossil fuels.

August was the highest average worldwide temperature ever recorded in the seas.

The public uses an online form or app to submit their yearly animal sightings report to the Marine Conservation Society.

Sightings of jellyfish rose by 32% from October 2022 to September 2023 in comparison to the same period the previous year.

The majority were in Cornwall and Wales, on the west coast of the United Kingdom. Furthermore, 11% of the huge blooms had more than 100.

The barrel jellyfish, often called "dustbin-lid" jellyfish, may reach a diameter of more than three feet (1 meter). It also has eight thick, frilled arms in place of tentacles. These were seen 467 times.

There were also lion's mane, Portuguese man-o-war, moon, and compass jellyfish visible.

For twenty years, the Marine Conservation Society has asked people to report any sightings of jellyfish.

"These numbers might occur part of a 20-year long boom-and-bust cycle since there are very few surveys out there that demonstrate what's happening," said Dr. Peter Richardson.

"But this survey gives us a reflection of what's happening in our seas regarding climate change."

Plankton specialist Dr. Abigail McQuatters-Gollop of the University of Plymouth concurs that there are a lot of jellyfish around this year.

She claims to have never seen nearly every one jellyfish, including the crystal jellyfish, something she had never seen in the UK previously, when she went diving every day in August.

Although it usually inhabits warmer seas, this critter was able to flourish in the UK due to the mild June weather.

"The jellyfish this past summer just did great, including the native ones," she says.

She said, referring to the warmer water, that it "may be an indication that as environmental degradation is happening, we are seeing tropicalization of the oceans."

Many marine species will eventually shift their range northward as the oceans warm, according to scientists.

However, we are unsure whether this summer's high numbers are due to maritime heatwaves or a longer-term natural pattern. We need to do more research since there isn't enough of it, she argues.

Long-term warming of the UK's waters is expected to affect the nation's fisheries since it would shift the food source for existing species, such as cod.

Twelve turtle sightings were recorded by the Marine Conservation Society survey, four of which were the biggest sea turtle, the leatherback.

Steer clear of touching any jellyfish or turtle that you come across. Jellyfish stings may be rather painful.

It is detectable online, and you may report it to the Marine Conservation Society.

Don't put a hard-shelled turtle you discover on the beach back in the water since it most likely suffers cold-water shock.