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Greek municipality installs jellyfish nets on beaches
🇬🇷 Greece /Environment & Climate

Greek municipality installs jellyfish nets on beaches

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The municipality of Dirfyon-Messapion in Greece is installing special nets to prevent jellyfish from entering its beaches, becoming the first in the country to do so.
  • This initiative aims to enhance swimmer safety and improve the beach experience for residents and tourists.
  • Experts attribute the recent surge in jellyfish populations to climate change, specific sea currents, and overfishing.

The municipality of Dirfyon-Messapion on the island of Evia has initiated a pioneering project to protect its beaches from jellyfish. It has signed a contract for the procurement, installation, and operation of specialized nets designed to block jellyfish from entering designated swimming areas. This makes it the first municipality in Greece to implement such a protective measure.

The municipality becomes the first in Greece to implement such a protective measure for swimmers.

— Dirfyon-Messapion MunicipalityAnnouncing the innovative measure to protect beaches from jellyfish.

The installation work is expected to commence soon, with the primary goal of enhancing safety along the coastlines and improving the services offered to beachgoers as the summer season approaches. The municipality believes these nets will significantly contribute to a more pleasant experience for both locals and visitors.

Climate change: The rise in sea temperature favors the reproduction and spread of jellyfish.

— Vassilios Kapsimalis and Sultana ZervoudakiExplaining the scientific factors contributing to the increase in jellyfish populations.

This intervention is part of a broader strategy by the Dirfyon-Messapion municipality to foster tourism development and upgrade the region's infrastructure. By undertaking such innovative initiatives, the municipality aims to boost the attractiveness of its beaches and promote sustainable tourism growth.

Sea currents: Peculiarities of the currents in the North Euboean Gulf lead to the entrapment and concentration of populations in coastal zones.

— Vassilios Kapsimalis and Sultana ZervoudakiExplaining the scientific factors contributing to the increase in jellyfish populations.

Scientific explanations for the increased jellyfish presence point to several factors. A research team from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, led by Vassilios Kapsimalis, identified climate change, particularly rising sea temperatures, as a key driver favoring jellyfish reproduction and spread. Additionally, specific marine currents in the North Euboean Gulf contribute to the accumulation of jellyfish populations near the coast. Overfishing, which reduces the populations of natural predators like certain fish species and sea turtles, also allows jellyfish to proliferate unchecked. Experts note that this phenomenon is cyclical, typically lasting one to three years, with future developments dependent on prevailing climate conditions.

Overfishing: The reduction of natural predators, such as certain fish species and sea turtles, allows jellyfish to develop uncontrollably.

— Vassilios Kapsimalis and Sultana ZervoudakiExplaining the scientific factors contributing to the increase in jellyfish populations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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