Thousands of 'pretty' jellyfish invade Welsh beaches
Thousands of 'pretty' jellyfish invade Welsh beaches
The jellyfish have been spotted on beaches across Wales including Criccieth and Barmouth with a boat owner estimating 'millions' were on Cardigan Bay
Flotillas of juvenile moon jellyfish washed up on the sandy beach at Barmouth
(Image: Barmouth Publicity Association )
The west coast of Wales has been struck by an astonishing influx of "pretty" jellyfish. At this time of year beaches are often littered with the creatures but the sheer numbers being seen are beyond anything in recent memory.
Scores of the creatures have washed up on beaches, far exceeding what is typically expected at this time of year. Cardigan Bay alone noted sightings of "millions" following choppy seas last weekend. The current marine heatwave enveloping the UK, fuelled by an unusually mild spring leading to higher sea temperatures, was anticipated to cause a boom in jellyfish numbers.
Accounts on social media indicate a significant presence on the sands of Gwynedd among them Criccieth, Fairbourne, and Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands).
One resident from Barmouth was surprise at the sheer volume along the shore. They said: "There are thousands of them along the shoreline – I've never seen so many. They are about the size of a hand and have four purple rings visible in them."
These visitors are moon jellyfish, which are familiar sights in British waters. Their most notable characteristic is a quartet of circles within their semi-transparent bells, which are actually their reproductive organs, known as gonads. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
Spain has experienced similar surges in recent times and tourists there are being prepped for the likelihood of even more jellyfish appearing on popular beaches during the peak of summer. There increased sightings have led to bans on swimming with climate change and escalating sea temperatures often cited as the culprits, reports NorthWalesLive.
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A larger moon jellyfish
(Image: Kora27/Wiki )
Last year almost 7,500 beachgoers in Catalonia required medical attention after jellyfish stings – a 41% increase from the previous year.
However Welsh beachgoers can breathe a sigh of relief since moon jellyfish, which are common around Wales, pose minimal risk to humans.
They also pose minimal risk to dogs though they might experience some discomfort like itching or slight agitation so if your pooch happens to lick or eat a moon jellyfish keep an eye out for symptoms such as drooling or vomiting. More severe reactions are unusual.
Blue, compass, and crystal jellyfish have also been spotted off the shores of Anglesey and Gwynedd, delivering only mild stings akin to nettle rashes upon contact. Meanwhile larger barrel jellyfish have been found on beaches and pose no threat.
The sight of jellyfish often garners appreciation for their beauty. A woman recounting her encounter with a Moon jellyfish said, "I've seen these on Black Rock Sands they are so pretty with their purple rings."
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More hazardous jellyfish, such as the lion's mane and Portuguese man o' war, generally make an appearance later in the summer and in fewer numbers.
Beyond adding colour and intrigue to our shorelines these jellyfish are integral to marine and coastal ecosystems as they provide food for a variety of animals including turtles, gulls, and crustaceans.
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