Rising numbers of moon jellyfish have been seen along the Torquay coastline recently, with marine experts linking the translucent visitors to warming sea temperatures
Swarms of jellyfish have appeared along several of Torquay’s beaches as warm weather continues to heat up the waters around Devon and Cornwall amid the current heatwave.
Moon Jellyfish have been seen floating close to the shore at Watcombe and Oddicombe this week. Others have reported similar sightings across South Devon. One visitor said: “Wowzers, we saw a few at Woolacombe, I’ve never seen that many though.”
Photos of the jellyfish have been shared online, with locals commenting on the rise in numbers. The big influx has sparked curiosity among beachgoers as more jellyfish continue to wash in with the tide.
One told Devon Live: “Moon jellyfish are everywhere now, they’re so cool”. Others have been spotted in Meadfoot, Maidencombe and Churston Cove on the fringes of Brixton.
According to the Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) “The moon jelly is the most common jellyfish in UK seas, often washing up on our beaches.” They are recognisable by the four circles visible through their translucent ‘heads’. They are purple and are 95 per cent water, they have no brain, blood or heart.
Moon jellies have short tentacles and are harmless to humans. They can grow up to 40cm in diameter and live for around 6 months, and thrive in warmer weather.
UK could see 45C temperatures and extreme month-long heatwaves, according to Met Office meteorological experts. Higher temperatures of 45C or more “may be possible” in today’s climate. The shocking prediction continued as experts even predicted heatwaves could go on for a month or more.
This year the coastline has already seen soaring temperatures, with an ‘unprecedented’ marine heatwave hitting waters around Cornwall and Devon lasting over two months. The Met Office said the sea surface temperatures are warmer by 1.5-2.5°C, “It is significant due to its intensity and persistence,” it said.
This isn’t the first time Jellyfish have flocked to the popular West Coast of England. Recent years have seen many ‘blooms’ of them in Devon’s waters. Experts described 2015 as “the year of the jelly” when beaches in popular Devon and Cornwall tourist spots almost had to be closed.
Alexandra Bulgakova, a data analyst at the Marine Conservation Society, told the BBC: “Warm waters and abundant food can lead to jellyfish blooms, and if combined with onshore winds, they can find themselves stranded on the shore.”
According to Dr Matthew Witt, Lecturer in Natural Environment at the University of Exeter said: “Jellyfish are an important part of our British wildlife – we see them year-round, but mostly in summer months
“But remember to look and don’t touch.”
Though the sting of a moon jellyfish is harmless to humans, it is possible to experience a mild stinging sensation on the surface of the skin.