Mass jellyfish stranding in Sabah due to rising water temperature

KOTA KINABALU - The mass stranding of jellyfish along the coast near Kampung Jangkit in Kuala Penyu, Sabah is due to the rising temperature in the waters.

Pictures of the 'tomato jellyfish' or its scientific name, Lobonemoides Robustus seen stranded along about three kilometres of the coast, had gone viral on social media since Wednesday.

Sabah Fisheries Director Azhar Kassim said his team went to the ground to check and monitor the unusual phenomenon.

"According to the residents in the area, it was the first time that there was a spread of so many jellyfish.

"The Department identified the type of jellyfish and research found that the density of the population was unusual due to the increase in the reproduction rate of the animals due to the increase in the temperature of the sea waters.

"It is also closely related to the existence of food sources such as zooplankton, small crustaceans, young fish and so on in the sea, as well as being influenced by the sudden tides and ebbs causing jellyfish to suddenly get trapped and stranded on the beach," he said in a statement on Thursday.

However, Azhar said, the jellyfish was not of the poisonous or dangerous type but could cause an itch on the body when it comes into contact with the skin.

"The public is advised not to worry too much because the jellyfish is a fragile type that easily dies and disintegrates.

“However, it will only cause an uncomfortable smell and will disappear within a day or two.

"The public is also advised to avoid bathing in the sea's waters in the presence of the smack of jellyfish on the beach," he said.