Surge of Jellyfish

Jellyfish have stung people ever since beaches have become fun destinations. However, recent reports from the Mediterranean show that the chances of encountering a jellyfish are becoming much higher. Francesc Peters of the Institute of Marine Science in Barcelona says that coastal waters were warmer than usual with the hot weather, and that the water was saltier than usual because of low river flows. In affect, the offshore waters, which jellyfish usually inhabit, were being washed closer to the coast. The cause of the these conditions causing jellyfish to be more of a threat towards people points most likely towards global warming. "Probably because of overfishing, populations of jellyfish offshore will increase and then these special environmental conditions... higher temperatures and higher salinity near the coast, may bring these swarms of jellyfish close to the beach," Peters said. Like the Mediterranean, beaches off the coast of Florida are seeing a surge of jellyfish on the beaches. Just this past summer, almost 2,000 beach-goers were stung as they celebrated the fourth of July on the beaches of Volusia County, Florida. As well, as the warming climate is heating the oceans, scientists say the number of jellyfish is on the rise thanks to the increasing acidity of the world’s oceans. Ocean acidification is a side effect of burning fossil fuels. Studies show that higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can make the oceans more acidic. Unlike many other creatures, Jellyfish are immune to the effects of acidification. Other species decline, while jellyfish move in to fill the ecological niche. Like increase in temperature, this has also seemed to trigger an explosion in jellyfish populations. “Ocean acidification has also been tentatively linked to increased jellyfish numbers and changes in fish abundance.” If similar trends continue, jellyfish may very well affect the beach and ocean industry in certain parts of the world. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2011782/Jellyfish-numbers-surge-climate-change.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5256652.stm