BICREF promotes assistance to another marine research effort
Jellyfish blooms have increasingly become a problem for swimmers, tourists, fishermen, and sea-users locally and other parts of the Mediterranean. From an ecosystem perspective, the apparent increase and synchrony of jellyfish outbreaks in both western and eastern Mediterranean basins are sending warning signals of a potential phase shift from a fish to a “gelatinous sea”. Although over-fishing, coastal habitat degradation and climate warming are amongst the most probable drivers, the specific causes and mechanisms still need investigating in detail. Collaborative research across the Mediterranean has been launched by CIESM in order to address this need.
The CIESM JellyWatch Phase II is currently implemented in coastal sectors in various Mediterranean waters including Maltese. Dr. Adriana Vella, PhD, conservation biologist at theUniversity of Malta, is the focal point in the Maltese Islandsfor this international research program, through her ongoing marine research.
Local sea-users, fishermen, divers, swimmers, tourists, local councils through the Local Councils Association, and NGOs, such as, BICREF, will be contributing to this detailed international program, which sees data gathered in Maltese waters contribute to Mediterranean-wide research, coordinated by the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM). Identification posters, sponsored by CIESM, which list the important features to take record of, are being made available.
Click here for feature & Images on Maritime Directory
Click here for Feature and Images on University Website
Click here for feature on Association of local councils in the Maltese Islands website
To report jellyfish bloom sightings email :
or contact:
Dr. Adriana Vella,
Department of Biology,
University of Malta,
Msida, MSD 2080.
tel: 23402790
fax: 23403049
mob: 99429592
Thank you for supporting this important research initiative.
