Death in the Mediterranean
Two weeks ago I was walking on Cap Martin and saw this floating blue mass of dead jellyfish near the rocks (see last two shots). On Sunday, in Menton, the same species were washed up on the beach. (main photo)
Nice-Matin had an article on this phenomenon - apparently quite rare but caused by a combination of winds and the fact that these jellyfish frequent shallow water. In Hyères, which is near to St. Tropez, hundreds of thousands were washed up and covered the beaches - and stank. Click HERE. Interestingly, in Asia this species are on the menu.
They are called Aurelia or Moon Jellyfish. And yes, taking the close up was a smelly moment...
Oh, but thanks for getting up close to them, Jilly! They really are something to see.
ReplyDeleteIs this a natural occurrence where so many die at once or is this a phenomena? What is causing it? The water is so clear..beautiful contrast...I am sorry you had to tolerate the smell but I love the colors..thanks for the answers...and the blog it is just GORGEOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteLDub, I've expanded the copy to explain but gather it had something to do with a combination of winds and the fact that these jellyfish swim near to shore. Thanks for kind comment on blog.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful; of course I wish they were still alive, but at least their demise isn't do to Man, but the wind.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and so very interesting explanation.
ReplyDeleteI must say, the two shades of blue look gorgeous, till the point one realises that those are dead fish..
ReplyDelete- Mindless Mumbai
This is all quite amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a picture!
Just imagine if that many LIVE medusas came near shore.
(From your title I was afraid it would be about the other bad news in the Med.)
Fascinating, esp. about the fragility of water animals. Lake Superior is having some worries about certain species of fish because the water is getting warmer by slow degrees.
ReplyDeleteYou turn this tragedy of jellyfish into a work of art, Jilly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for going down there and getting the photos as well as the explanation.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to watch them on your pictures than in the sea during our holidays !
ReplyDeleteGood fishing, here, Jilly
How very interesting!
ReplyDeleteThe clear blue-green colour of the water is an invitation to take a swim but do dead jellyfish still sting? I suppose not. They just stink.
A most interesting phenomenon.
From close up they look like transparent mussel shells.
Of course they remind me of the bluebottles we sometimes had wash away on Aussie beaches
We get these in Cape Town too - and call them "By-the-wind-sailors".
ReplyDelete