Scientist Lisa-ann Gershwin said that the milky white species with pink in the middle has not been classified yet by science. However, they have been seen before this incident. Also, recently, they are seen more in the beaches at Tasmania than ever.
In an interview with the Herald, Gershwin said, "All of a sudden I started getting all these calls, and all these people sending me photographs. Sure enough, this thing is an absolute menace this season; it's been around in large numbers."
Contrary to common notions, these species of jellyfish are not deadly to humans. The scientist was quoted by Australian Broadcasting saying "If you touched it or whacked into [it] when you were swimming it is very painful. It's not life-threatening, but it will sting you, it will wake you up."
She shared that before Christmas, she got a hold of some smaller specimens of the new species. "I've been ... working with jellyfish for a long time here and I've seen a lot of big jellyfish, but this one's really big," The scientist said that they are prolific.
She also told the Herald, "We don't actually know what's going on that's led [to], not only to this species, but many, types of jellyfish blooming in massive numbers. Jellyfish do bloom as a normal part of their life cycle, but not usually this many."
Gershwin added that she has been working to get a scientific name to identify the new jellyfish, which she believes is related to a previously identified jellyfish in the area called lion's mane, or sometimes "snotties."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
