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Date Published: 19/06/2024

Fried egg jellyfish baby boom in Murcia

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Millions of the slimy critters have appeared in the waters of the Mar Menor

Much to the dismay of bathers, the Mar Menor is experiencing a jellyfish baby boom. According to a recent report from the Regional Government’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Service, there has been an explosion in the population of a particular species of jellyfish known as the ‘fried egg jellyfish’ (scientific name: C. Tuberculata).

The report, released on Thursday June 13, reveals that the technicians detected vast numbers of juvenile jellyfish, known as ephyrae, at almost all of their sampling points. At six out of seven locations, they counted anywhere from 50 to 500 ephyrae, and at one site, the estimate was a staggering 1,000.

But before you change your holiday plans, you should know that these jellyfish are completely harmless. Their huge size and strange egg yolk-like appearance may give swimmers the heebie jeebies, but the sting is so mild that most humans don’t even notice it.

This boom is reminiscent of last year’s event, and the report notes that the peak of births is happening right now. The technicians are curious to see when this strobilation, the process of jellyfish reproduction, will come to an end.

The survival of these newly born jellyfish is also anything but guaranteed, as zooplankton levels are very low. This could result in a high mortality rate or very slow growth, extending their life cycle as was observed during the summer of 2023.

Isolated adult fried egg jellyfish, measuring between 8 and 10 centimetres, have also been spotted, likely the result of strobilation from a month ago. And the specimens detected two weeks ago are now growing, measuring between 2 and 4 centimetres.

The current strobilation event is producing millions of jellyfish, and the next round of sampling will help assess how long this reproductive frenzy will continue. However, the technicians note a challenge: the high number of jellyfish is making counting difficult as they tend to clog the trawl nets.

This baby boom comes just after a day of heavy rains, when 100 million litres of water entered the lagoon. The Ministry of Water, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries reported the presence of trawling remains due to the previous day’s abundant rainfall, particularly around the Rambla del Albujón.

Interestingly, two seahorse larvae were also found, one measuring 1 centimetre northwest of Isla del Barón and another at 1.8 centimetres between Los Urrutias and Isla de la Perdiguera.

Despite the rains, the field work confirmed the birth of other jellyfish species, such as the Australian spotted jellyfish (P. puntata) and, to a lesser extent, the aguamala (R. pulmo).

Also of interest: Mar Menor pumping station overhauled to prevent water discharges

Image: Pacto por el Mar Menor

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