Based on recent studies, scientists have noticed a steady increase in the jellyfish population, globally. The areas affected the most are Antarctica, the Black Sea, Northeast US, Hawaii and Japan.

The increase in sea nettles, or jellyfish, is beginning to cause problems for fishermen and scuba divers around the globe.

Andrew Sjostrom, Kinesiology Major from California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), has been scuba diving for six months and noticed the massive amount of jellyfish.

“I feel like this could be a problem,” Sjostrom said. “Even though they are a beautiful sight underwater, they are also deadly. And the increase of jellyfish would increase the dangers of diving.”

The most common injury reported is stinging, and in some rare cases, due to allergic reaction or the size of the jellyfish, death.

Joshua Smith, ’11, alumnus, environmental science major from CSUMB, takes necessary precautions when diving due to the dangers of the jellyfish.

“Last week, a diver said that he had been stung around his face by a wall of jellyfish,” Smith said. “I have never cancelled a dive due to jellies, but I certainly have precautions.”

According to the University of British Columbia, the only areas of significant increase are areas highly populated by humans. This causes problems for fisherman working in main ports around the globe.

One theory on why this is happening is because of fisherman trying to “kill” or “maintain” the population. In Japan, anglers annoyed with these sea nettles are taking sharp tools to cut them up. They think they are maintaining the amount of jellies, when in fact they are only making it worse.

When jellyfish are cut up in a manner like this, their sperm and eggs are actually released into the water, making it prime breeding grounds for the sea nettles.

In addition, one sperm and one egg does not equal just one jellyfish. The combination actually creates a small polyp that sticks itself to the bottom of the ocean. Upon hatching, the polyp can release about three to 13 baby jellyfish. If fisherman in Japan are cutting up hundreds of jellyfish, they are potentially making hundreds even thousands more.

A steady increase in the global water temperature is another factor that helps jellyfish to breed.

“Scientists speculate on pinning the exact cause of Jellyfish increase. I believe it is linked to warming oceans,” Smith said. “The unnatural water temperature causes the jellies to spawn earlier and longer than normal.”

While the exact cause of this odd phenomenon is not yet confirmed, scientists are on the right track to gather more details about this issue.

The Sea Nettle (jellyfish) population increases steadily, causing problems globally. Scientists try to find the reason behind the population increase. Joshua Smith and Andrew Sjostrom, certified scuba divers from Monterey Bay, have noticed the increase amount of jellyfish during their dives in August.

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