Jellyfish Bloom

Following on from the algal bloom, Moon jellyfish up to half a metre long have been appearing on beaches in Scotland, especially around Banff in the Moray Firth north of Aberdeen, following a rise in sea temperature.

‘It’s very rare to see 40cm plus common jellyfish but the waters have been full of them over the last few weeks,’ said Dr Kevin Robertson, of the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit.

‘The temperatures are very much higher in the coastal waters this year. Normally at this time of year we measure maximum temperatures of about 14 or maybe 15 degrees, but we are well into higher figures at the moment – around 17 degrees at least.

The weather has created ideal conditions for Moon jellyfish, the most common in the area; they usually only grow to about 10cm but the ones being found now are measuring anything up to half a metre as they fulfil their full growth potential.

The hot summer weather has also fuelled the growth of the lion’s mane jellyfish, the largest to visit UK shores. The lion’s mane which is easily recognised by its ragged outer edges can sting unsuspecting bathers with its long soft tentacles causing pain that can last for hours. Some specimens have been more than a metre in diameter

Category: Other Organisations