King Jellyfish Swarming in Full Bloom
The king jellyfish (Nomura's) which originate in the Chinese Yellow Sea, are not deadly stinging jellyfish, but their size and numbers have escalated in recent years with extended breeding time in the ever increasing warmer oceans. Their upsurge has been causing havoc to fishing, marine travel and local marine eco systems. Young jellyfish feed on fish larvae for longer periods and warm currents provide a buoyant feeding frenzy.
At spectacular sizes of 1.83 meters in diameter and weighing more than 204 kilos these bulbous monsters of the deep, with diaphanous crowns and masses of thick pink tentacles, have been causing destruction to coastal fishing nets and the tenuous livelihood of local fishermen.
Japan's culinary kings have recently decided to fight back this underwater invasion and are now harvesting these early bloomers in their thousands every year. They have discovered the pleasures of consuming king jellyfish through steaming or grilling.
Like upturned enormous mushrooms, the king jellyfish pulsate throughout the ocean, feeding and multiplying. It's estimated that 200 species of king sized jellyfish exist on our planet and these monsters of the deep will certainly be keeping Japanese restaurants well stocked.
Even though they have become a new delicacy what cost will their impact have on Japan's fish population in the future?
Learn more about Jellyfish, Jellyfish Stings and Jellyfish Species
Learn more about Jellyfish, different Jellyfish Species, general Jellyfish Information, Jellyfish Pets and Jellyfish Safety
Written by Nathan Dickerson and Sudarsana Sinha.