STRING JELLYFISH NOW REACHING THE NORTH ATLANTIC COAST

String jellyfish now reaching the North Atlantic coast – Researchers urge UK and Faroese fishers to report sightings. A jellyfish species that previously caused significant losses at salmon farms in Norway is moving northward again. Researchers are asking fishermen in the North Atlantic for assistance.

“We urgently need observations from fishers in Scotland, England and the Faroe Islands.”
— Tina Oldham, project leader, Institute of Marine Research

String jellyfish (Apolemia sp.) are long, rope-like colonial jellyfish that drift on ocean currents. In Norway, string jellyfish have injured and killed millions of fish in past winters.

Theory: Uses the North Atlantic current

Researchers believe string jellyfish pass west of Ireland, between the Faroe and Shetland islands, before reaching Norway. They are asking fishers across the North Atlantic to report any sightings.

“Even if you are not sure what you saw, please report it. Every sighting helps,”
says Tone Falkenhaug, Institute of Marine Research.

A short English animation, with Faroese subtitles, has been made to help fishers recognise string jellyfish.

Sightings can be reported at dugnadforhavet.no.

New protection methods being tested

Help researchers help the fish.  Several strategies to protect salmon farms are being tested, including:

• Brush-wall barriers
• Electric barriers
• Bubble curtains
• Shielding skirts

“But even the most effective protective measure is only helpful if we have early warning that jellyfish are coming,” says Oldham.

How UK, Irish, Faroese and North Atlantic fishers can help

Fishers in Scotland, England, Shetland, Orkney, the Faroes, Ireland and northern Britain are asked to:

1. Look for long, rope-like, jellyfish or jellyfish pieces.
2. Take a photo, if possible.
3. Report it at dugnadforhavet.no (English version available).
4. Add position, date, and a short note.

Even uncertain sightings are valuable.

Their reports will be used to understand when, where and why string jellyfish occur.

Facts about the JellySafe project

Purpose: To understand and reduce the harmful effects of the colonial jellyfish Apolemia sp. (string jellyfish) on Norwegian aquaculture.

Background: Over the past three winters, large jellyfish blooms have caused extensive fish mortality and major losses for the aquaculture industry.

Measures being tested: Brush walls, electrical barriers, bubble curtains, and lice skirts designed to protect the pens.

Partners: Institute of Marine Research, Sintef Ocean, Akvaplan-niva, NIVA, University of Bergen, NCE Aquaculture, PatoGen, Åkerblå, and several aquaculture companies.

Funding: The project is funded by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) with a budget of NOK 35 million, and additionally supported by the Institute of Marine Research and the University of Bergen, contributing NOK 2.5 million.

Objective: To establish an early-warning system for colonial jellyfish along the coast and to develop practical solutions that strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks.

Funding details: The project is financed by FHF (NOK 35 million), the Institute of Marine Research (NOK 1.6 million), and the University of Bergen (UiB) (NOK 0.87 million).

Read more at: FHF’s project page for JellySafe.

Image: Havforskningsinstitiuttet