Jellyfish numbers are on the rise worldwide according to a global study conducted by scientists from the University of British Columbia. The research team examined data for several species of jellyfish and found that jellyfish populations were increasing in 62 percent of the locations they analyzed. Areas with booming jellyfish populations included the coastal waters of East Asia, the Black Sea, the Northeastern United States, Hawaii and Antarctica.
This study represents the first of its kind done on global scale. Plenty of anecdotal evidence exists for increasing jellyfish populations but this is the first survey that quantifies the trend.
Jellyfish impact humans in a number of ways. They pose a threat to swimmers (their stings can be very painful and depending on the species can even be life threatening). They also clog water intakes for power plants and interfere with commercial fishing.
Photo © Casper Tybjerg.
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