Interview with Dr. Alan Deidun - University of Malta

Australian Spotted Jellyfish in Italy and the Compass Jellyfish in Spain are two examples. As a
pre-emptive strategy, we place such species on our educational leaflets.” Asked about any
particular chronological patterns in jellyfish blooms, Dr Deidun explained that from records
dating back 150 years, it is being observed that in recent years peaks have been more frequent
and pronounced. However large masses of mauve stingers have been observed for decades and
in the eighties local water polo games had to be cancelled and teams had to go and train
abroad. He recalled that back in the late fifties an advert of a jellyfish repellent cream was
published in a local newspaper.
Economical, social and ecological disruption
In the ecological chain, the role of jellyfish is to act as scavengers and so serve as a natural
means to eliminate the weakest organisms. Another function is to filtrate water from plankton.
The main problems arise when jellyfish appear in huge numbers all of a sudden. The Canary
Islands right now are experiencing a bloom of apocalyptic proportions and mauve stingers are
literally being bulldozed from the beaches. In the last 28 days 3.25 tonnes of jellyfish were
removed from a single beach. Dr Deidun cited the positive impact that jellyfish may be having
on the diving industry. He floated the idea that authorities need to seriously consider
promoting a new niche of jellyfish tourism, also in view of the fact that overfishing is
threatening the already fish depleted seas around Malta. Regarding the ecological benefits or
threats that jellyfish pose in general he said that huge outbreaks of jellyfish are having a
negative impact on the overall population of fish as they are consuming large amounts of
plankton and other foods on which the fish depend. The traditional kinds of jellyfish use their
stingy tentacles full of capsules to squirt their venom to catch their prey. Other kinds of jellyfish
called comb jellies which are not stingy have sticky tentacles, which have the same purpose.
The latter are becoming more popular with divers as these may be handled freely without any
risks. Another form of jellyfish that fishermen are familiar with are called salps, which
resemble long chains of jellyfish which may stretch several kilometres.
“As a marine biologist I am focusing more on the threats especially those caused by stinging
jellyfish and the blooming population which causes an ecological imbalance. In some cases
jellyfish are producing so much mucus, which is a gelatinous substance, that parts of the sea
are becoming toxic and consequently impacting negatively on marine life. The best term that