Invasive Australian Jellyfish Sighted In Gulf Of Mexico In Summer 2007

The invasive Australian jellyfish, Phyllorhiza punctata, first reported in great quantities in the Gulf of Mexico in 2000, has made a vigorous reappearance this summer in waters from southwestern Louisiana to Morehead City, North Carolina. Beachgoers and boaters are encouraged to report their sightings of these exotic jellies to the Dauphin Island Sea Labus jellyfish website. Since 2000, Phyllorhiza sightings have occurred in the Gulf as far west as Galveston Bay, Texas, but only in a handful of numbers. This year, not only are their numbers higher, but their range has extended up to the Mid-Atlantic states. uA…aˆ?Reports from the Panhandle of Florida and North Carolina indicate theyure pretty concentrated elsewhere,uA‚A? states Dauphin Island Sea Lab Senior Marine Scientist Dr. Monty Graham.