The first jellyfish swarms of the season were spotted this week along Israel’s coastline. According to the Meduzot Ba’am (Jellyfish Watch) website, sightings have been reported from the beaches of Nahariya in the north all the way down to Ashkelon in the south.
University of Haifa researchers explained that the species involved is the nomadic jellyfish (Rhopilema nomadica), which is medium-sized and, for now, appears in relatively low density. However, in some areas—especially around Tel Aviv and Haifa—moderate to high concentrations have already been reported.
Jellyfish near Israeli coast
(Video: Tal Raz)
“Summer jellyfish swarms usually appear around the time of the summer solstice, and we expect their density to increase in the coming days. It’s important to remember that swimming is only permitted in accordance with Home Front Command safety guidelines," said Dr. Dor Edelist of the Applied Marine Ecology and Biology Lab in the Department of Maritime Civilizations at the University of Haifa.
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"We recommend beachgoers visit www.meduzot.co.il and report sightings—whether you see jellyfish or not. These reports help the public and also support the long-term research we’ve been conducting for years.”
Dr. Edelist added that in the event of a sting, the affected area should be rinsed with seawater only, and a burn-relief ointment should be applied.