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We have compiled a map of purple jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) records for August.
Most sightings, as expected, were concentrated in the North Evoikos Gulf and the Pagasitikos Gulf. These semi-enclosed gulfs tend to trap jellyfish populations, allowing them to remain for longer periods. Although summer has ended for most, it is important to remember that a purple jellyfish outbreak can last up to four years. Monitoring continues throughout the winter, and next summer we are likely to see them again, potentially in new areas as well. If you spot jellyfish of any species, we encourage you to take photos and upload them to iNaturalist (preferred) or share them in the Facebook group. Citizen science is an essential tool for monitoring and keeping the public informed! 🙏 Thank you to all citizen scientists and observers contributing to the effort. Every sighting counts! #PelagiaNoctiluca #PurpleJellyfish #AegeanSea #JellyfishBloom #PelagiaLogbook #CitizenScience #MermanConservation Pelagia Logbook: July 2025 update on the ongoing Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish bloom in the Aegean sea1/8/2025
The bloom of the Mauve Stinger jellyfish, Pelagia noctiluca, continues in the Aegean Sea. New observations have been added to the Pelagia Logbook, helping us understand the extent and movement of this natural phenomenon.
📍 See where sightings have been recorded 📊 Follow monthly updates 🔎 Learn how to identify and stay safe ➡️ Check the full update here: https://www.mermanconservation.co.uk/pelagia-logbook-aegean-sea-2025.html 🙏 Thank you to all citizen scientists and observers contributing to the effort. Every sighting counts! #PelagiaNoctiluca #PurpleJellyfish #AegeanSea #JellyfishBloom #PelagiaLogbook #CitizenScience #MermanConservation At Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd., we're proud to present the Jellyfish Drift Predictor - a free AI-powered tool designed to help you estimate the drift patterns of the mauve stinger jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) based on your own observations.
This tool is available to everyone and aims to support public awareness, personal planning, and citizen science around jellyfish activity in the Aegean Sea. How Does It Work? Unlike a live data feed, the Jellyfish Drift Predictor does not collect or store community sightings automatically. Instead, you manually enter the following:
Once you input this data, the system uses environmental behavior models and basic wind-driven drift estimations to provide a visual forecast of where the jellyfish may move in the coming days. This makes the tool fully on-demand, private, and tailored to each sighting entered. Why Pelagia noctiluca? Pelagia noctiluca is the most commonly encountered jellyfish in Greek waters during the summer. While native to the Mediterranean, it can form large blooms that impact tourism and recreation, especially during August and September. Understanding where these jellyfish may move next helps reduce surprise encounters and increases safety and awareness. Important Disclaimer ⚠️ Jellyfish Drift Predictor is for personal use and awareness only. ⚠️ Predictions are not always accurate, especially when winds or weather shift suddenly. ⚠️This tool does not track jellyfish in real time - it depends on your manual input to generate each forecast. Always check with local authorities and beach notices when planning to enter the sea. Try It Yourself To use the Jellyfish Drift Predictor, visit: 🌐 https://www.mermanconservation.co.uk/jellyfish-drift-predict-tool.html Simply enter your observation data and see an instant estimate of possible drift directions. Pelagia Logbook: June 2025 update on the ongoing Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish bloom in the Aegean sea29/6/2025
The bloom of the Mauve Stinger jellyfish, Pelagia noctiluca, continues in the Aegean Sea. New observations have been added to the Pelagia Logbook, helping us understand the extent and movement of this natural phenomenon.
📍 See where sightings have been recorded 📊 Follow monthly updates 🔎 Learn how to identify and stay safe ➡️ Check the full update here: https://www.mermanconservation.co.uk/pelagia-logbook-aegean-sea-2025.html 🙏 Thank you to all citizen scientists and observers contributing to the effort. Every sighting counts! #PelagiaNoctiluca #PurpleJellyfish #AegeanSea #JellyfishBloom #PelagiaLogbook #CitizenScience #MermanConservation At the Heart of the Mauve Stinger Bloom at Milina (Greece) | Observation from June 18, 202519/6/2025
Our team at Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd. recorded a striking jellyfish bloom yesterday afternoon in the Pagasetic Gulf. In the waters just off Milina, more than 30 mauve stingers (Pelagia noctiluca) were observed gathering approximately 20 meters from the beach, while swimmers were still enjoying the sea.
This local observation appears to be part of a wider bloom event that is now expanding beyond the Pagasetic Gulf toward northern Evia and parts of the Sporades. The density and behavior of the jellyfish suggest that this bloom may continue to spread in the coming days. The mauve stinger is a well-known species in the Mediterranean, recognizable for its translucent body with pink or purple markings and its bioluminescent glow. Although small, it can deliver a painful sting and occasionally forms dense swarms that impact both swimmers and fisheries. We will continue to monitor the bloom and provide updates as its extent becomes clearer. Events like this remind us how dynamic and unpredictable marine ecosystems can be, especially during the warmer months. Stay informed and stay mindful when entering the sea. Our 2025 records show an early and intense bloom of the Purple Jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) across the coasts of France, Spain, Italy, and the Adriatic Sea, echoing the infamous summer outbreak of 2020, but starting earlier than expected.
🟣 Comparison with 2020: In 2020, Pelagia blooms peaked around late June to August, particularly along the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian coasts, Catalonia, and southern France. This year, observations are already flooding in by early May – a significant shift forward. 📈 Why Is It Happening Earlier? Unlike the typical 12-year cycle theorized for large-scale blooms, recent patterns show Pelagia populations can surge in shorter intervals due to: 🔥 Rising sea temperatures in the Western Mediterranean in some areas already exceed 21°C in May. 🌬️ Weak winter storms and early spring calm seas, allowing jellyfish polyps to mature undisturbed. 🧪 High nutrient levels from spring river outflows, fueling zooplankton, their primary food source. France: Reports along the Provence and the Côte d'Azur, particularly dense near estuaries. Spain: Sightings are increasing along the Costa Brava, Almeria, and Valencia. Italy: Strong presence already confirmed around Tuscany. 📊 We are now mapping the bloom in real time. Early intervention through citizen science is crucial for monitoring and public safety. 📍 View our Mediterranean heatmap. We’ve created a heatmap showing where Pelagia noctiluca (Mauve Stinger Jellyfish) has recently been reported in the Pagasetic Gulf and surrounding areas.
The map shows: 📍 Where the jellyfish have been seen 📈 How much – from isolated sightings to mass blooms 📸 Upload your photo to iNaturalist! Every observation helps science and conservation. → https://www.inaturalist.org/ #Jellyfish #PelagiaNoctiluca #Pagasitikos #iNaturalist #MermanConservation #MarineLifeGreece #CitizenScience Yesterday, Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd officially informed the Greek Ministry of Environment, NECCA, and the Volos Coast Guard about a possible new local emergence of Mauve Stinger jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) in the Pagasetic Gulf.
Given the strong stigma and collective memory of the prolonged jellyfish bloom from 2020 to 2023, we believe it is essential to act early, monitor closely, and provide timely, science-based information to the public and relevant authorities. Our goal is to support local communities, marine users, and decision-makers with up-to-date data and responsible environmental reporting. We urge the public to remain calm, respect marine wildlife, and report any unusual sightings to us or local authorities. 📸 Have you seen jellyfish in the area? Please upload your observations to iNaturalist: 👉 https://www.inaturalist.org/ Your photos and reports help us monitor the situation more effectively and contribute to real-time biodiversity tracking. #MermanConservation #JellyfishBloom #PelagiaNoctiluca #PagaseticGulf #MarineMonitoring #Greece #CitizenScience We are thrilled to announce that the popular Greek android app "Μέδουσες στην Έλλαδα" (Jellyfish in Greece) has officially transitioned to Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd from BiodiversityGR. This marks a significant step forward in ensuring the app continues to deliver accurate and up-to-date information about jellyfish and similar marine species in Greece.
Why this matters? The Jellyfish in Greece app has been a cornerstone for:
By transferring the app's management to Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd, we are ensuring its continued functionality and enhancement, aligning with our mission to promote marine conservation and education. What’s new? Under Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd, we aim to:
Your participation is vital to the success of this initiative. Here’s how you can contribute:
Acknowledgments We extend our gratitude to BiodiversityGR and Taklis Christos for their efforts in developing and managing the app thus far. Their dedication has laid a strong foundation for us to build upon. Together, let’s continue to explore, protect, and understand the incredible marine biodiversity of Greece. For more information about our projects and initiatives, visit Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd. |
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