Management and control considerations in respect to jellyfish blooms in Maltese inshore coastal waters

Abstract

Recent years' evidence suggests that gelatinous plankton from the phylum Cnidaria (true jellyfish), phylum Ctenophora (comb jellies), and sub-phylum Tunicata (salps) have increased in abundance throughout the world's oceans. This phenomenon, known as jellyfish blooms, now occurs more frequently in many seas, creating a paradigm shift from fish to jellyfish seas. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of jellyfish blooms on: (1) Maltese beach-users, as well as (2) a preliminary attempt to investigate the impacts of these blooms on the Maltese aquaculture industry. The type of research methodology involved the use of the mixed methods approach. Sampling was carried out randomly, where data was collected through interviewer-supervised self-completion and web-based self-completion methods. The study on the effects of jellyfish on beach-users was conducted during October-December 2013 (750 questionnaires), whilst that on the local aquaculture industry throughout February-April 2014 (24 questionnaires). Statistical analysis on beach-users showed that 49.0% of the respondents were stung by jellyfish in these last five years. The majority of participants reported that their 2013 holiday or summer was not negatively affected by jellyfish; however, almost 41.0% are still willing to pay to use beaches having anti-jellyfish nets. In addition, the Maltese aquaculture industry operators report no significant impacts on their business due to jellyfish blooms, even though there seems a general consensus that the abundance of these blooms in local waters have in fact increased.