Unprecedented jellyfish numbers on coasts

Jellyfish, particularly blue and red jellyfish, are swarming the coastlines of North Zealand and West Jutland in extraordinary numbers, a phenomenon never seen before by aquarium chief Jens Peder Jeppesen of Øresundsakvariet. The blue jellyfish, pushed from deep to shallower waters, begin to die being unable to withstand the brackish water. While they are fascinating, they can be unpleasant to touch. Increasing numbers of red jellyfish, which can be bigger and deliver a more intense sting with tentacles reaching up to ten meters, pose a risk of burning swimmers even if unseen. Despite this, Jeppesen encourages people to swim but advises caution. If stung, he suggests using a razor to scrape the area and rinsing with saline water. Michael Madsen, owner of JyllandsAkvariet, also notes an uptick in jellyfish sightings. Jeppesen explains that the jellyfish population typically increases during July to September, aided this year by possibly high levels of nutrients in the water.