Thousands of Jellyfish Washed Ashore in Cornwall, Potentially Due to Cold Snap

Scientists suggest that a significant number of deceased jellyfish found along the Cornish coast, described as “unprecedented,” may have perished due to a recent cold snap. Thousands of mauve stingers, scientifically known as Pelagia noctiluca, were discovered washed up on Carne beach, located on the Roseland peninsula, last Saturday. Dr. Abigail McQuatters-Gollop, an associate professor of marine conservation at the University of Plymouth, characterized the stranding as “really surprising” and proposed that it could have resulted from a combination of ocean currents, wind, and a decrease in temperature. Becks Allen, representing the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, commented, “It’s a fairly unprecedented number of washed-up jellyfish.” Dr. McQuatters-Gollop explained that jellyfish lack control over their movement and were likely aggregated by the wind. She stated, “The quantity of jellyfish was amazing, but the fact they were all washed up at the same time together I thought was really surprising – I’ve never seen anything like that.” She further added, “They are at the mercy of the currents, but that includes storm events and winds, and I feel like that’s why they were in such an aggregation.” Pelagia noctiluca are commonly found in the waters of the UK, Ireland, and the Mediterranean. Dr. McQuatters-Gollop indicated that a recent cold snap might have caused their deaths, as jellyfish, unlike mammals, are unable to regulate their own body temperature. Ms. Allen confirmed that members of the public had reported the stranding to the wildlife trust. Vicki Spooner, who works for Falmouth Harbour, was conducting a seabed survey on Thursday near Swanpool and Gyllynvase beaches when she was “amazed to see high concentrations of mauve stinger jellyfish.” She advised, “Although beautiful to look at from a boat, these jellyfish do cause a sting, so wild swimmers without a wetsuit would be wise to avoid them.” BBC reporter Martha Dixon experienced stings from mauve stingers while swimming off Swanpool beach the previous week. She described the scene, saying, “The jellyfish were tiny but it was a like a soup, they were everywhere.” She continued, “I happily swim amongst jellyfish all the time, as they normally feel only like stinging nettles.” However, she noted, “But this was completely different. I got a shock of a sting across my lower cheek and I couldn’t really sleep as it felt like it was on fire for two or three nights.” Ms. Dixon reported that the blister took 10 days to heal, but she intends to continue swimming in the sea. She asserted, “Nothing will keep me out of the water and nothing should keep others out of the water either.” Dr. McQuatters-Gollop highlighted the “amazing” capabilities of jellyfish. She mentioned their ability to lose and regenerate body parts, which scientists are currently studying. She posed the questions, “Can this somehow be used for humans?” and “What if we could figure that mechanism out and we could grow tissue and organs?” For updates, follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.