August 21, 2007

Giant jellyfish a threat to Gulf Coast fisheries in the US

An invasion of Australian jellyfish along the Gulf Coast in the US could devastate the fishing and shrimp industries there, scientists said.

The giant jellyfish first made its appearance along the Gulf of Mexico seven years ago and have made a "vigorous reappearance" this summer and feed on native fishes, scientists announced Friday. Since the jelly fish has abundant prey, it is quite likely they would grow to "monster sizes.

Australian jelly fish in their native land is about fist-sized but in the Gulf they can grow as big as dinner plates and weigh up to 25 pounds, said Monty Graham of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Scientists say the invasion of the Australian spotted jellyfish, Phyllorhiza punctata, could threaten the fishing and shrimping industries as they could eat eggs and larvae of other fish.

The invasive jellyfish have been found in the Gulf since 2000 but in small numbers. This year, there are more of them, and their range has extended up to the Mid-Atlantic states.