Now that the country's beaches are officially open after the start of the swimming season was postponed because of coronavirus, bathers might find that their enjoyment of the water is marred by jellyfish.
Nomad jellyfish (Rhopilema nomadica) are being spotted all along the Israeli coast, along with large numbers of comb jellies (Ctenophora), gelatinous creatures that resemble jellyfish but do not sting, the University of Haifa's School of Marine Sciences reports.
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The nomad jellyfish is the most common jellyfish in Israeli coastal waters. It can be identified by its blue dome and many long strings that surround its tentacles. The species is known to have arrived in the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, but is now considered a local Mediterranean species.
The jellyfish and comb jellies are currently close to the beaches and up to a few hundred meters offshore.
Dr. Hadas Lubinevsky notes that "It seems as if the migration has started, and what we've seen thus far are only the first signs."
The current assessment is that this is the standard yearly appearance of the jellyfish occurs in the hottest months of June, July, and August.
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