Nomad jellyfish are increasingly frequenting the shores of Northern Cyprus

The Ministry of Agriculture of the TRNC reports that dangerous nomadic jellyfish have become more common in the sea off the shores of Northern Cyprus over the past 10 years.

In a written statement, the ministry indicated that Rhopilema Nomadica jellyfish have been increasingly spotted in the seas off the coast of the TRNC recently.

It is reported that the nomadic jellyfish have a very high reproductive potential, as they can reproduce both sexually and asexually, leading to a significant increase in their numbers in a short period of time.

Earlier reports indicated that this species of jellyfish had also been observed off the shores of the Republic of Cyprus.

Nomadic jellyfish have a semi-spherical body, up to 1 meter in diameter. Eight thick tentacles grow from the central point of the body, which release a tiny "sting" carrying venom upon contact with a foreign body. The color of nomadic jellyfish often ranges from milky to icy blue.

This particular species is an endemic species of the Red Sea and first entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal in the 1970s.

The presence and increase in the population of jellyfish are temporary phenomena, usually lasting from several hours to several days and are mainly influenced by marine currents, favorable climatic conditions such as increased temperature, and elevated nutrient content. It is noted that the phenomenon is likely to be observed in other areas of Cyprus as well.