Pelagia Noctiluca: Venomous Jellyfish Blooms

Context

Marine researchers along the Visakhapatnam coastline in Andhra Pradesh reported an occurrence of a bloom of venomous jellyfish.

• Pelagia noctiluca, has been identified as the species behind this particular phenomenon.

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About Pelagia Noctiluca

• Pelagia noctiluca is a venomous jellyfish species.
• Common Names: mauve stinger or purple-striped jellyfish
• Lifespan: Two to six months

Features

• Venomous Nature: Its venomous nature can induce various health issues such as diarrhea, severe pain, vomiting, and potentially life-threatening anaphylactic shock.
  • Anaphylactic shock is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can develop rapidly in response to an allergen. 
• Global Distribution: Tropical and warm-temperature seas
• Distinctive Features: Unlike many other jellyfish species, Pelagia noctiluca has stingers not only on its tentacles but also on its bell.

• • Bioluminescence: One of the unique characteristics of Pelagia noctiluca is its ability to produce light in the dark, making it bioluminescent.

• Jellyfish Blooms:

  • Jellyfish blooms occur when species populations rapidly increase due to heightened reproduction rates.
  • Causes: Rising ocean temperatures contribute to frequent jellyfish blooms by creating favorable breeding conditions.

Implications of the Recent Jellyfish Bloom Along the Visakhapatnam Coastline

Ecological Implications:

• Threat to human health: The Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish is venomous and can cause serious health problems, including allergic reactions, in humans.
• Disruption to the ecosystem: Jellyfish blooms can  disrupt the food chain and impact other marine life.
  • Potential impact on prey populations: The  Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish feeds on plankton and small fish larvae. 
  • Oxygen Depletion and Hypoxia: As jellyfish die and sink to the ocean floor, they decompose.
  • This decomposition process consumes oxygen, leading to localized oxygen depletion in the water column.
  • In extreme cases, this can result in hypoxic zones, where oxygen levels are too low to support most marine life.

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Economic Implications:

• Impact on Tourism and Coastal Economy:
  • Blooms of venomous jellyfish can deter tourists from visiting affected beaches.
    • It can result in economic losses for hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses.
• Impact on Fishing Industry:
  • Depletion of fish larvae and disruption of the food chain due to jellyfish blooms can lead to decreased fish populations, resulting in lower catches and income for fishermen.
• Beach Management Expenses:
  • Depending on the severity of the bloom, resources may be required for beach closures, signage, or mitigation efforts, leading to additional expenses for local governments.

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