'Full Moon Jellyfish' Sighted in West Sea of Jeonbuk... Warning Raised to 'Alert' Level

Full Effort in Removal Operation Mobilizing 64 Fishery Management Vessels

A large number of moon jellyfish have appeared in the West Sea area of Jeonbuk, raising the crisis alert level.

According to Jeonbuk Province on the 22nd, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the National Institute of Fisheries Science reviewed the Jeonbuk sea area until the 17th and raised the crisis alert level for moon jellyfish in the Jeonbuk sea area from 'Caution' to 'Warning' on the 20th.

Full Moon Jellyfish Removal Operation

The average number of jellyfish appearing in the Jeonbuk sea area is about 46 individuals per 100㎡, with the highest number recorded at 190 individuals. This is an increase of more than 30 individuals on average compared to the 11 individuals at the caution level on the 8th. The issuance criterion for the warning level is 20 adult jellyfish per 100㎡. The crisis alert levels progress in the order of Interest → Caution → Warning → Serious.

Moon jellyfish are native to Korea and have mild toxicity, but they cause damage to fishing gear. During summer, the amount of sunlight and the rapid rise in coastal water temperatures accelerate the growth of jellyfish.

Accordingly, the province has activated a jellyfish countermeasure headquarters headed by Choi Jae-yong, Director of the Saemangeum Marine Fisheries Bureau. A total of 64 fishing vessels from cities and counties (Gunsan 11, Gimje 7, Gochang 6, Buan 40) were mobilized. Along with surveillance activities, jellyfish removal operations were carried out using the province’s fishing ground cleaning vessels.

A provincial official said, “This summer, water temperatures are expected to rise above average, and with sufficient plankton, the food source for jellyfish, the appearance and growth of toxic jellyfish will accelerate. Beachgoers and aquaculture residents need to be cautious.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.