Fauna Journal Entry

Huge Jellyfish Sink Boat (November 23, 2009)

Gigantic jellyfish flipped and sank a 10-foot (three-meter) fishing boat off the coast of Japan. The boat's three-man crew was hauling in a net filled with dozens of Nomura's jellyfish when their boat capsized. Luckily, the crew was rescued by another boat passing through the area.

A fully-grown Nomura's jellyfish can grow to over six feet (two meters) in diameter and weigh over 440 pounds (200 kilograms). The jellyfish are causing big headaches for fishermen. They rip apart nets, while their toxic sting makes fish inedible. Waters surrounding Japan have teemed with the huge cnidarians this year. Wildlife experts say the population rise is partly linked to a drop in predators like sea turtles and large fish.

Global warming also plays a role. Many of the planet's jellyfish species have expanded their range as a result of climate change. As the world's oceans get warmer, jellyfish are found across wider latitudes north and south of the equator. They're starting to appear earlier in the season and in greater numbers. Global warming is also triggering range expansion in insects pests like bark beetles and malaria-spreading mosquitoes.