Jellyfish Alert in Mediterranean

Posted on August 11, 2006

The beaches of the Mediterranean are on alert after swarms of jellyfish have appeared near the coast. The BBC reports that 30,000 people have already been stung by the jellyfish this summer alone. Some beaches have also been temporarily closed.

Some Spanish beaches have been closed, but Sicily and North Africa are also reported to be badly affected.
Researchers say at least 30,000 people have been stung since summer began.
Marine biologists blame hot dry weather for bringing jellyfish closer to the shore, and say overfishing may be increasing jellyfish numbers.
A recent survey by the Oceana environmental group found concentrations of jellyfish of more than 10 per square metre in some areas off the Spanish coast.

Hot, dry is weather is blamed for brining the jellyfish closer to the shore. Global warming and overfishing could bring even more of the jellyfish in future summers. Japan has also has a problem with jellyfish. They have a giant jellyfish problem. Recently, giant jellyfish in Japan blocked a cooling filter at a nuclear reactor.

ANIMALS
JELLYFISH