Jellyfish on British beaches

Large jellyfish blooms have been reported this summer on beaches in England, Scotland and Wales, according to the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).

The MSC is asking visitors to the seaside this summer to take part in their jellyfish survey to help them keep an eye on developments. But beachgoers should take care to only look and not touch these potentially dangerous creatures.

"This year's jellyfish season started in April in the Irish Sea, when barrel jellyfish were reported off the Welsh coast," said MCS biodiversity programme manager Peter Richardson.

"In May we started to receive reports of big blooms of the harmless moon jellyfish from around the UK, and then through June and July, large numbers of the beautiful blue and compass jellyfish also started to wash up on our beaches," he continued.

He warned that the stinging Lion's Mane jellyfish has been sighted in the Irish Sea and on Scotland's east coast.

The potentially dangerous Portuguese Man of War jellyfish has also been recorded near Land's End in Cornwall.

Mauve Stingers are also a cause for concern for summer holidaymakers if they return in the numbers seen last summer.

Mr Richardson noted that "scientists are predicting that climate change will result in more jellyfish in UK waters" in the future.

The survey is part of a wider programme to find out more about critically endangered leatherback turtles that migrate thousands of miles to UK waters to feed on jellyfish each summer.