Jellyfish infestation is global phenomenon; measures taken to face it

CAIRO - 11 July 2017: Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy said that a number of countries, not only Egypt, were affected by the phenomenon of spread of jellyfish.

This came during a seminar organized by the Environment Ministry to tackle the phenomenon of the upsurge of jellyfish on Egypt’s shores.

The ministry is taking a number of measures to face the phenomenon, Fahmy said. He added that the ministry is studying the incident in which it formed a workgroup that includes representatives from the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Suez Canal Authority and other authorities concerned.

The minister's adviser of Biodiversity Moustafa Fouda asserted that all kinds of jellyfish monitored on Egypt’s shores are harmless and nonpoisonous.

Meanwhile, head of reserves central administration of nature conservation department Mohamed Salem denied claims that the new Suez Canal is the reason behind the spread of jellyfish.