Scientists rethink ecological role of jellyfish blooms

Hagfish and crustacean amphipods scavenging jellyfish baits in the deep sea. (Image courtesy of A. Sweetman, C. Smith, D. Jones.)

New evidence shows deep-sea animals dine on jellyfish more than scientists previously suspected, reducing concerns that jellyfish blooms may be harmful to the ocean’s ecosystem, according to a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences. “It’s a good thing”, said Oceanography professor Craig Smith, who published the study with researchers from Norway and the United Kingdom. “… marine ecosystems may be more resilient to the effects of jellyfish blooms than we originally thought.” He said evidence shows jellyfish blooms, or population explosions, are increasing, especially along coastal areas because of climate change and nutrients entering the sea from agriculture and other sources.

Read more about it and watch the video at Honolulu Star-Advertiser (subscription required), Kaunānā, West Hawaii Today, and UH System News. Image courtesy of A. Sweetman, C. Smith, and D. Jones.