Local scienctists from Universiti Putra Malaysia are now studying the causes of the bloom phenomenon, incuding how local environmental changes can affect jellyfish populations and why they only thrive at certain times.

Climate change, could be a factor in jellyfish population blooms. During El Nino, the ocean experiences warmer, lower oxygen, and ocean acidification, which can be stressful for less adaptive marine organisms. In Malaysia, jellyfish blooms were frequently reported during the warmer months from Jan- Sept.

Until recently, the intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNISCO through its Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (IOC-WESTPAC), has been a significant help in promoting collaborative research and networking among Western Pacific countries in jellyfish research, bloom monitoring, information sharing, and hazard awareness.

However, we still need more information to know why there are so many jellyfish in some areas and if its because of climate change or other human factors. Also, we need to learn more about the life and behaviour of jellyfish so we can predict where they’ll be and when. 

This information is urgently needed so we can better manage and reduce the impact of jellyfish blooms on the marine environment and human well being amid climate shifts.

More article information:
The Petri Dish: April -May 2024 | www.thepetridish .my | KDN: PP17330/03/2013(031563)

Dr. Wan Mohd Syazwan Wan Solahudin
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, UPM

Date of Input: 20/06/2024 | Updated: 20/06/2024 | m.hakim