From Iceland — Jellyfish Infestation Mysteriously Vanishes

Jellyfish Infestation Mysteriously Vanishes

Published July 25, 2016

Andie Sophia Fontaine
Photo by
Kip Evans/Wikimedia Commons

Like an invertebrate in the night, Nauthólsvík’s jellyfish infestation has disappeared.

Vísir reports that staff at Reykjavík’s warm-water beach have not spotted any jellyfish in the cove of late. Over the course of the past two weeks, no swimmers have reported being stung by jellyfish.

The news will likely come as a relief to many prospective beach-goers. Last month, an ambulance needed to be called to the scene when a woman who was stung experienced a powerful allergic reaction to the venom.

As reported, two species in particular appeared in large numbers at Nauthólsvík: the moon jelly and the lion’s mane jellyfish, the latter being more numerous.

While jellyfish around Iceland are far from unusual, the increased numbers are a fairly new thing. Marine biologist Ástþór Gíslason told reporters that the increased warming of the North Atlantic has been a contributing factor.

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