A small bay near Sant Elm was recently in the news because of pollution, it was reported to the Bulletin by the former British TV presenter and local second home owner Selina Scott. Now some stranger jellyfish have been spotted in the area. A reader reported that several (10-15 ) brown jellyfish have been identified in San Telmo and Cala Tio, this week.
He said “Do not know if they “burn ‘ but looks impressive.” The exact species has yet to be confirmed but several jellyfish species can appear brown, including the Fried Egg Jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata), Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella), and Northern Sea Nettle (Chrysaora melanaster). The Fried Egg Jellyfish, common in the Mediterranean, has a brown-yellowish flattened umbrella with a prominent central protrusion. Compass Jellyfish, found off the coasts of Britain, have a translucent yellowish-white bell with distinctive brown markings resembling a compass. The Northern Sea Nettle, found in the northern Pacific, is also known as the brown jellyfish.
Here’s a more detailed look at some brown jellyfish:
Fried Egg Jellyfish:
This jellyfish is known for its unique appearance resembling a fried egg, with a brown-yellowish umbrella and a prominent, dark orange central protuberance. It has eight oral arms with button-shaped appendages and lacks marginal tentacles. It is frequently seen in the Mediterranean, especially towards the end of summer and beginning of autumn.
Compass Jellyfish:
These jellyfish have a translucent yellowish-white bell with brown markings around the edge and on top, resembling a compass. They have long, thin marginal tentacles and frilled oral arms. They are known to deliver a painful sting.
Northern Sea Nettle:
Also known as the brown jellyfish, this species is found in the northern Pacific and adjacent Arctic waters. It’s sometimes confused with the Pacific Sea Nettle (C. fuscescens), but it is a distinct species.
Phyllorhiza punctata:
This species, also called the white-spotted jellyfish or the brown jellyfish, is native to the western Pacific but has been introduced elsewhere. It is known for its brown coloration and white spots.
Jellfish experts have been watning that the Balearics has become the epidenctre for jellyfish in the Mediterranean over recent years.
British businessman Mark Dyer, the founder of the game changing product Stingblade has explained to the Bulletin that the biggest problem all swimmers face is the growth of the jellyfish population in areas like Mallorca. “I know from personal experience that there have always been jellyfish in Mallorcan and Balearic waters, including the Portuguese man o’ war, but over the past few years it appears that they have become more invasive and I’ve seen little bays and calas full of them, in particular the small purple ones, and the main reason for this is over fishing. We’ve fished all of the predators which would normally prey on jellyfish out of the sea, especially in the Western Mediterranean, and that is why jellyfish and their stings are becoming more common.”