Slide Show: Jellyfish Jamboree--Are They Set to Seize the Seas?

A new paper proposes that humans are making the oceans a very happy habitat for jellyfish. Here's a closer look

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Bloomin' jellyfish! Overfishing, climate change and ocean dead zones may be downers for humans and other critters, but they turn out to be a boon for jellyfish schools, reports the recent "Jellyfish Joyride" paper in Trends in Ecology and Evolution.

A surge in jellyfish populations may eventually lead to what study authors call "a less desirable gelatinous state," which could have "lasting ecological, economic and social consequences."

Swimming safely in aquariums, jellyfish might look like rare, delicate creatures, but many species are quite hardy—not to mention, harmful. Aside from bothering beachgoers, they've been known to wreck fishing nets and actually kill swimmers. The heftier jellies, such as the Nomura (Nemopilema nomurai) can reach diameters of 6.5 feet (2 meters) and weigh as much as 440 pounds (200 kilograms).

About 470,000 tons (425,000 metric tons) of jellyfish are already harvested for fine dining in Southeast Asia every year. Are we looking at a future of jellyfish burgers and popcorn polyps?

Not all scientists are convinced that a gelatinous takeover is on the horizon. "There is some debate about this issue," says Jack Costello, a professor of biology at Providence College, who wasn't involved in the study. Some species of jellyfish aren't tolerant to new and changing ocean conditions and actually seem to be in decline, he notes.

But there's one thing jellyologists agree on: we still have a lot to learn about these mysterious creatures.

Have a look. Slide show: Bloomin' Jellyfish!

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American