Startled with the danger of jellyfish invading the oceans

Scientists around the world have just warned about the dizzying increase in the number of jellyfish species, in most of the world's seas . More importantly, accompanying this special phenomenon are unpredictable hazards.

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The latest study by US Dr. Lisa-Ann Gershwin has shown a dizzying increase in the number of jellyfish at famous beaches around the world. This is considered a consequence of over-hunting of aquatic species, as well as changes in water temperature over the past decades.

France, Spain, Chesapeake Bay, Hawaii . all recorded amazing numbers of jellyfish living in the area.

This situation has brought about direct consequences. In Hawaii there are times when up to 800 to 1,000 people get bitten by jellyfish in just one day. In Spain and Florida, more than half a million people have been bitten by jellyfish in recent years.

Earlier last month, the nuclear power plant in Sweden had to temporarily shut down the largest reactor, due to jellyfish coming to block the flow of the nuclear reactor cooling system. Meanwhile in Ireland, thousands of salmon died due to the sudden increase of jellyfish in the region.

Increasing the number of dangerous jellyfish

According to the report of the General Department of Fisheries Administration of the Mediterranean and the United Nations, scientists have found that the number of jellyfish species has increased dramatically.

There are more than 2,000 species of jellyfish living in all regions of the world. Most of the human jellyfish encountered are harmless species. Their bite will only hurt the victim for a certain amount of time.

However, the number of jellyfish has increased over the past decade, causing scientists to worry that poisonous jellyfish will be increasingly found in the world. Lethal jellyfish often live in Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan.

The most dangerous venomous jellyfish species in the world

The recorded jellyfish species caused many deaths for tourists in Thailand, Indonesia and Australia. This jellyfish can reach 3m long in adulthood. Irukandji, meanwhile, is considered one of the smallest jellyfish but has a deadly poison.

With just a bite from these poisonous jellyfish, the victim will find it difficult to breathe, unable to move the limbs and, more severe, a fatal drop in blood pressure. Most coastal areas in Hawaii, Caribbean, Florida, Wales, New Caledonia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, India and Australia can all be the ideal habitat for the world's most exclusive jellyfish.

Today many famous tourist sites have installed an early warning system of jellyfish activities to prevent visitors from having unfortunate incidents. There are cases where visitors come to the beaches that are judged more safely but are lethal to jellyfish.

Jellyfish can be found in most of the world's seas, but venom-bearing jellyfish often operate in the region between 40 degrees South and 40 degrees North. Dr. Gershwin warned visitors to dangerous waters that should always be vigilant, not just dependent on the media.

Causes of climate change

Jellyfish are known since ancient times and have always been a normal biological activity of the oceans. Dr. Gershwin's report identifies that the climate has warmed up over the past decade, making oceans warmer and oxygen levels lower while marine environments are increasingly polluted. These are the main reasons for the development of jellyfish.

In addition, the quantitative explosion of jellyfish populations indicates that life in the oceans is currently severely imbalanced. The fishing of fish, the destruction of marine animals has created a perfect habitat for jellyfish.

According to Dr. Gershwin's research, since the 1960s, 9 out of 10 species of fish specialized in hunting jellyfish, such as swordfish, shark, and tuna are significantly reduced, some species have disappeared. Along with that is the excessive exploitation of coral reefs, lawns, mangroves, making jellyfish more and more opportunities to grow in quantity.

"People cannot destroy all jellyfish, as this will cause another biological imbalance that could be even more serious," he said. Life in many ocean areas has been severely affected and it will take hundreds of years to restore it to its original state.

Dr. Gershwin said that there is a need for detailed studies of the influence and quantity of jellyfish in the oceans. Thereby giving appropriate measures including reducing the number of jellyfish as well as restoring a balanced ecosystem over time.