Swarm Of Toxic Jellyfish Found Off UK Coast

The Lion's Mane jellyfish, or Cyanea capillata, have a sting which can cause muscle paralysis, leading to suffocation and heart attacks. The swarm of newcomers was first discoverd by diver Andy Pearson, who was surrounded by more than 200 of them while looking for basking sharks at Sennen Cove, Coverack Cove and Kynance Cove in southern Cornwall. He also saw groups of the smaller and rarer blue jellyfish, which carry a nasty sting too. Although he described the sight as "spectacular", Mr Pearson warned fellow divers and swimmers of the danger. He said: "Usually there will be one or two but the jellyfish were literally everywhere in the water. It was worrying. "Swimmers really need to be careful because the Lion's Mane can give a potent sting." Ruth Williams, of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: "It's unusual to get them in such massive swarms in Cornwall." She also said swimmers must be careful and should stay "well clear of their trailing tentacles". A spokesman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution said they were aware of the danger and advised beach users to take care. The Lion's Mane is one of the largest species of jellyfish. While their sting itself is not lethal, their tentacles are covered in stinging cells which can cause blisters and severe muscular cramp, affecing the respiratory system and heart function. The creatures, which can reach up to 10ft long, are normally found further north in the colder Arctic and northern Atlantic oceans, but the freezing winter has made the southern seas cold enough for them.

Sky News

Wierd one.
Wonder what brought these to our shores.
Another wierd story to match all the other madness these days

Fascinating news - but not sure about the cold water angle!

Thats a new take - usually this time of year they are talking about a Tiger Shark or other tropical being spotted in Cornwall due to the seas warming up. I guess "climategate" shot that news angle in the foot!

reply to post by shauny


It's the sea life coming after BP executives....watch out.


Next to come are the sharks...and they are going to grow legs and eat ya.

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
reply to post by shauny

 

It's the sea life coming after BP executives....watch out.

Well then they would be off the USA coast no

Looks like I'll have to cancel my skinny dipping holiday in Cornwall then...

Rather unusual but a shoal of 200 isn't necessarily cause for concern yet, if more keep showing up then perhaps we need someone to look into the matter more seriously.

Remain vigilant.

I love the diversity we get off the coast of Cornwall.

We have had some impressive Sharks in the past, now we are getting killer Jellyfish from the arctic circle.

I once stood on a Weaver Fish, I can't imagine anything worse than that!

Ultimate Pain!

[edit on 15-6-2010 by Wide-Eyes]

Originally posted by Silk
Fascinating news - but not sure about the cold water angle!

Thats a new take - usually this time of year they are talking about a Tiger Shark or other tropical being spotted in Cornwall due to the seas warming up. I guess "climategate" shot that news angle in the foot!

I agree with you. I thought that Cornwall is bathed in the Gulf Stream, which is why Britain's climate is more temperate than other countries on the same latitude. The temp of the seas surround the UK do not vary more than a couple of degrees between summer and winter. I fail to see how a harsh winter would affect sea temps. A movement of the Gulf Stream farther south would do it though, and this does happen. In fact this is usually what makes for a colder winter than normal.

Journos are not always as thorough as they could be are they?

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
reply to post by shauny

 

It's the sea life coming after BP executives....watch out.


Next to come are the sharks...and they are going to grow legs and eat ya.

Yeah, hopefully BP didn't drill too deep and get to the crab people! lol

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
reply to post by shauny

 

It's the sea life coming after BP executives....watch out.


Next to come are the sharks...and they are going to grow legs and eat ya.

Does everything have to be about BP now adays? obsessed much?

I had a big massive rant about this before. I hate jellyfish with a giant massive infinit passion. I want every last one of the little f**kers dead.