A research project supported by the European Commission

The problem

Jellyplankton outbreaks (massive occurrences of medusae and other gelatinous planktonic organisms) are an increasing threat for some key economic activities in coastal areas, such as fisheries, aquaculture and recreation.

Project objectives

• Identify and quantify key factors regulating the abundance and succession of jellyplankton species in European waters
• Better understand the role of jellyplankton in marine ecosystems
• Develop models able to forecast the likelihood of jellyplankton outbreaks
• Estimate the socio-economic effects of jellyplankton outbreaks in European coastal areas

Baojun Tang (left), Per Andrup (middle) and Niels Christian With Møller (right) on the hunt for jellyfish in Kertinge Nor, March 2015.