Number of jelly fish to decline: official

CAIRO – 2 July 2017: Number of unprecedented hordes of jellyfish at the North Coast will decline confirmed by Under-Secretary of Environment Ministry for the Nature Protection Sector Dr. Mostafa Foda Saturday.

The confirmation was based on recent surveys made lately on the beaches that were affected by jellyfish.

Foda said that it is normal to see an increase in the numbers of jellyfish washing up at the beaches in summer, which for most sea creatures represents their peak mating season, adding that they will carry on thriving until the end of August.

During the mating season, jellyfish primarily float near the surface to give a chance to its spawn to blossom, Foda added. Given the fact that jellyfish float the sea on currents counterclockwise, the swarms will gradually move northwards and likely end up settling in the Turkish waters.

The dominant jellyfish species found on the Mediterranean Coast is known as Rhopilema nomadica. This species is native to the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It arrived to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, where as a result of climate change; it has found an environment similar to that of its natural home.

As for how to treat a jellyfish sting, vinegar can apparently provide a solution. According to an article in The Guardian last month, scientists have discovered that applying vinegar is the best solution, and that popular remedies including urine, lemon juice, and shaving foam could make the situation worse.