by !Baha, 30 November 2009

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Weighing in at upwards of 200 kilograms each, the giant Nomura jellyfish have wreaked havoc in the waters around Japan this year. Of the most extreme stories, on November 2nd a Japanese fishing trawler capsized, after netting a dozen or more of the giant jellyfish, throwing its three man crew into the calm waters to await rescue.

Not enough is known about the Nomura jellyfish, and scientists are just now beginning to observe their reproductive and growth cycles in the lab. In 2005, there was a similar over-population of these gigantic jellyfish which likewise caused damages to fishing nets, boats and equipment, as well as loss of fish which are rendered inedible once stung by the numerous tentacles of these creatures.

It is believed that warming sea temperatures may be leading to higher reproductive levels, added to that, the loss of natural predators such as sea turtles and fish are causing a dangerous rise in the number of these creatures.

Nomura jellyfish are a menace, both for the fishermen who are helpless and at their mercy, as well as another proof-positive that climate change and global warming is NOT an imaginary danger.

COMMENT BELOW: Do you ever ask yourself, "but what can I do!" in the face of something like this? There's always COP15, HOPENHAGEN - and after that, unrelenting pressure on governments to take this GLOBAL WARMING THREAT for real! But, if you have other ideas, please write to us at EDITOR[at]iCUBED.us, we'd love to read them all...

SOURCES, REFERENCES and RELATED MATERIALS:
Wikipedia - Nomura's jellyfish
The Telegraph - Japanese fishing trawler sunk by giant jellyfish

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