The iconic fried egg jellyfish, locally known as “tal-lampuki” or “qassata”, has made it’s first appearance this summer in Maltese seas.
The jellyfish was first found floating around at crystal lagoon in Comino on the 9th of August. Facebook page Maltese Islands Weather had this to say about the first sighting of the marine creature: “It’s almost that time of year again! The fried-egg jellyfish will slowly start returning to local waters.”
The page also revealed that “it prevails for a very short time here, with the jellyfish usually disappearing from local seas by the beginning of October.” It is also harmless with it inflicting only a very mild sting.
The jellyfish has distinct purple tentacles and a dark yellow bell with a diameter of about 30cm. They are usually found in the western and central parts of the Mediterranean.
Local marine biologist and lecturer Alan Deidun revealed on Facebook that “Yet again this year, as has been happening in recent years, the species has appeared earlier on in summer, yet another indicator of the warming trend shown by our seas”. This summer has seen an invasion of jellyfish on Malta’s beaches due to rising sea temperatures.
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