Jellyfish invasion disrupts swimming on Crimea's western coast
9:02 PM EDT, July 16, 2024
The residents of the western coast of Crimea are talking about a true invasion of jellyfish. Although this phenomenon recurs cyclically in this area, gelatinous creatures have been observed exceptionally early this year.
This year, sea creatures arrived at the coasts of Crimea a few weeks earlier than usual. This is related to the persistent high temperatures and warmer-than-usual water for this time of year.
The residents and visitors of the Saki region, Yevpatoria, and the Tarkhankut Peninsula have observed the jellyfish invasion. Swimming in the sea is almost impossible because the water has turned into jelly due to the number of jellyfish.
Two types of jellyfish live in the Black Sea: white and blue. Neither of them poses a threat to human life, but they can cause painful burns and allergic reactions.
Usually, the period of the highest jellyfish population in the Black Sea falls at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. However, experts emphasize that the period can shift in different years based not only on temperatures but also on sea currents and the overall population of these creatures. Experts assure that there is no talk of a catastrophe.
As RIA Novosti Crimea reports, the situation in the Sea of Azov is even more complicated. An additional factor is the change in salinity, which contributes to the occurrence of a greater number of exceptionally large jellyfish. Experts note that both natural and anthropogenic factors influence such changes.