Jellyfish Invade Mediterranean, Again

Thousands of Pelagia Noctiluca Jellyfish Found Off Coast, Caught on Camera Thousands of jellyfish of the Pelagia noctiluca species were discovered off of the Spanish Mediterranean Coast in the Cabera Marine Park by Oceana during the course of documenting marine life and habitat in the archipelago.  High concentrations of this particular species of jellyfish wreaked havoc on beaches last year, driving many beachgoers out of the water and away from the Mediterranean coast.

Oceana divers initially filmed and photographed the concentrations of jellyfish at shallow depths in the coasts of Cabrera.  Afterwards, Oceana's Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), guided from the deck of the Oceana Ranger research catamaran, found the animals at 130 meters depth on the seamount known as the Emile Baudot Bank, thirty miles south of the Cabrera archipelago. Oceana is promoting the protection of this area and is trying to have it designated as part of the marine park system. Oceana believes that the jellyfish were most likely swept into the park and would soon be swept to other points on the Mediterranean coast.

"This is not a local problem," said Xavier Pastor, a marine biologist and Vice President of Oceana, "the jellyfish are running out of enemies due to an increase in water temperature caused by climate change, the overexploitation of fishing resources and the voluntary and incidental capture of jellyfish predators."

Pastor and Oceana are collaborating with a jellyfish public awareness campaign created by local governments in response to the jellyfish invasion and has forwarded video and photographs of the concentrations to the local authorities.