'Maltese' jellyfish at Ħondoq ir-Rummien

Published on The Sunday Times on Sunday 24th January, 2010.

A day at one of Malta and Gozo's beaches can often be ruined by swarms of jellyfish infesting the sea, making it quite risky for swimmers.

But one foreign resident in Gozo, Judy Metters, has come to see the 'bright' side of this situation, because she has come across examples of what she has described as 'Maltese' jellyfish.

Last November, she decided to go for a swim at Ħondoq ir-Rummien. "I had been there the day before and it was glorious and jellyfish-free. When I started to walk in the sea I quickly noticed a huge amount of 'cauliflower' jellyfish, as they have become locally known, and hundreds of other small pretty ones which I suspected were 'stingers'. I beat a hasty retreat. Of course I hadn't noticed that the wind had turned easterly and therefore it had brought hundreds of jellyfish to the shore this side of Gozo."

Ms Metters did not want to leave, and so began to look closer at the jellyfish from the rocks. She noticed one of the 'cauliflower' jellyfish had been broken up, probably by the boats, and it appeared that the smaller ones were feeding off the broken parts of the other.

Being a keen photographer she went to fetch her camera and began to photograph the activity under the water. She soon noticed markings on the top of the small jellyfish which seemed to be in the shape of a Maltese cross.

Ms Metters thought it would be interesting to share her experience with readers of The Sunday Times. She also took interesting images of the 'cauliflower' jellyfish which fascinated fishermen and locals as swarms of them glided along the saltpans in Gozo and found their way round to Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

"There were various stories as to why and where they had come from, some saying they were here to spawn and die, others saying they had never seen them before on these shores. Perhaps somebody could tell us more, as their huge size and shape was unique but they went as soon as they came," Ms Metters said.

To view picture, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100124/gozo/maltese-jellyfish-at-hondoq-ir-rummien