Urgent warning to Brits heading on seaside staycations over invasion of stinging jellyfish in UK waters
BRITS have been warned about an invasion of stinging jellyfish which have arrived in UK waters.
A “massive influx” of the crystal jelly species have floated into Cadgwith, on the Lizard Peninsula, in Cornwall, experts say.
In August, there were sightings of the gelatinous sea dweller around Channel Islands Alderney and Guernsey.
The species – real name Aequorea victoria – is nearly transparent and has long, delicate tentacles.
It can expand its mouth when feeding to swallow jellies more than half its size.
Matt Slater, from Cornwall Wildlife Trust, stressed that while the animal had stinging cells they’re not strong enough to hurt humans.
If you are pricked by one, you’ll likely be left with a mild sting.
He told BBC Radio Cornwall: “They reproduce very rapidly and produce thousands of tiny larvae.
“In some years all of them will perish but in other years, when the conditions are different, they may all survive.”
Experts say warmer seas have attracted the spineless critters, who usually inhabit the Mediterranean.
The species accounted for 2.9 percent of sightings in the UK between October 2021 and September 2022.