Thousands of large jellyfish wash up in Scotland

Jellyfish measuring more than a foot in length are being washed up in their thousands on Scottish beaches.

Published: 7:00AM BST 18 Jul 2009

Swarms of the creatures have been spotted by holidaymakers around Banff in the Moray Firth, north of Aberdeen, in recent days. This follows other sightings in areas of the country including the Fleet estuary in Dumfries and Galloway.

Experts put the number and size of the jellyfish down to rising sea temperatures. In normal conditions the common moon jellyfish usually grows to just four inches.

"It's very rare to see 15in (40cm) plus common jellyfish but the waters have been full of them over the last few weeks," said Dr Kevin Robertson, of the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit.

"The temperatures are very much higher in the coastal waters this year. Normally at this time of year we measure maximum temperatures of about 14C or maybe 15C, but we are well into higher figures at the moment – around 17C at least.

"It's created ideal conditions for a jellyfish boom and we are seeing much larger specimens than usual as they fulfil their full growth potential."

Although the moon jellyfish is not known to sting humans, the warm conditions have also boosted more dangerous, larger species like the lion's mane jellyfish, which have also been spotted in British waters this summer.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5853038/Thousands-of-large-jellyfish-wash-up-in-Scotland.html