[Fiona]

Count jellyfish, Britons urged



The lion's mane sting leaves red welts on skin

Mass jellyfish strandings and huge numbers at sea are being spotted around Britain's coast as holidaymakers take to the beach and the water.

The hazardous lion's mane jellyfish is just one of those blooming in UK seas.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) wants people to report their jellyfish encounters, to further help research after a successful survey in 2003.

Research results will be used by marine biologists in studying the leatherback turtle - which eats the creatures.

The critically endangered giant visits UK waters to feed on its favourite jellyfish prey.

Scientists say people's feedback will complement research on climate and sea temperatures to understand the ecology of the leatherback.

There's a few records of people getting stung, but jellyfish aren't flying at people and attacking them
Peter Richardson
MCS

"We have had 300 reports of hundreds of thousands of jellyfish," said Peter Richardson, MCS species policy officer.

"We're really interested in where they occur and an idea of numbers - in ones or twos, or washing up in their millions."

It is hoped the survey results will help conserve the threatened turtles. They are often killed by eating rubbish resembling jellyfish - like plastic bags - or when they become entangled in fishing nets and pot lines.

Frilly tentacles

Drawing up a picture of their feeding habits and location will help experts target areas to promote conservation.

The MCS wants people to fill in the form on its website if they see the different species - from the stinging lion's mane to the harmless moon, attractive blue and compass, and massive barrel jellyfish.



Critically endangered leatherbacks eat the jellyfish

The lion's mane is Britain's largest species, up to 2m wide, a big, round "typical jellyfish shape" and bright reddish-brown.

It has a smooth bell-shape top and a red-brown frilly mass of tentacles, which can stretch for several metres.

One man stung in the Mersey Estuary in 2003 reported feeling as though he had been electrocuted throughout his body, Mr Richardson told BBC News Online.

He, and another swimmer off the coast of the Hebrides, suffered red welts on their skin and nausea.

'Spectacular' turtles

The MCS has advice for anyone coming into contact with jellyfish.

"If you are swimming and find yourself amongst a swarm of them, that's a dangerous situation," said Mr Richardson.

IDENTIFYING JELLYFISH

Never touch with bare hands Use a stick or wear arm length rubber gloves to turn them Beware of stinging tentacles Keep your face well clear
Seek medical advice if stung

"We don't want to panic people, there's a few records of people getting stung, but jellyfish aren't flying at people and attacking them.

"But people need to be aware that they can sting and it hurts," he said.

"Certain species we recommend you do not touch. For others, use long rubber gloves, a stick, and keep your face well clear."

"If you're badly stung, seek medical advice."

And, the MCS points out, there are worse things floating past in UK waters.

It wants to encourage people to keep seas clean and capable of sustaining life, by not dumping litter or flushing rubbish down the toilet.

"We are more of a threat to jellyfish and other marine life than we are to them," said Mr Richardson.

"If we get people to appreciate we have these spectacular turtles here, hopefully they will take on board it's not acceptable to leave litter." Have you seen jellyfish in UK waters? Send us your experience using the form below.


Taken from the BBC website and the form is on there