WITH the current spell of warm weather, many people will be heading to the Pembrokeshire coast to make the most of the sun.

However, this is not just true for humans – but also for marine creatures.

As the waters off Wales, England and even as far north as Scotland get warmer, they create a more favourable environment for the reproduction and survival of jellyfish, leading to a booming population of them in British and Irish seas.  

“Rising sea temperatures are having a direct impact on marine life in all kinds of ways,” said Genevieve Watson, biologist and water data consultant at KISTERS.

“Warmer waters can expand the habitat of marine species such as stingrays and jellyfish, allowing them to thrive in our coastal regions - areas that would have previously been too cold for them.

“This is something that feels particularly noticeable as we are seeing these changes happening within our lifetimes. Few of us will look back to our childhood and remember ever seeing a stingray or jellyfish in the water at the seaside, but actually, for our children and grandchildren, this could be an increasingly common sight.

“It's most noticeable with jellyfish, as they are able to thrive in conditions that other marine life may not, because of their higher resilience to warmer temperatures. 

“We've seen increased reports over recent years of jellyfish blooms on the British coast as their population has exploded due to increasingly warm waters, it's highly possible that stingrays could be next.”

While these creatures are fascinating, they can, in many cases, deliver a painful sting to bathers. 

Although not usually fatal or even dangerous, they can ruin a day at the beach and for children or pets, cause serious reactions.

So, it’s worth knowing which jellyfish you’ve encountered and which ones to avoid.

Jellyfish Species currently living in British waters

Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita): This jellyfish has a translucent dome shaped bell with four distinct horseshoe-shaped purple rings (called gonads) visible through its bell. This jellyfish delivers a mild sting. 

Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata): This Jellyfish a usually a yellow, orange or brown colour and is famous for its long and trailing tentacles. It can deliver a painful sting if you encounter it while swimming. 

Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo): This large mushroom shaped jellyfish can be white, baby pink or pale blue and is sometimes fringed with purple markings, it has a large, robust bell and is usually white or pale blue. Its sting is usually mild. 

Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella): this Jellyfish has a clear or yellow tinged bell and has distinctive  brown markings that radiate from its centre like a compass. It can deliver a painful sting.

Mauve Stinger (Pelagia noctiluca): As its name would suggest this jellyfish had a deep purple coloured bell with dark wart-like patterns. It has four frilled arms and eight long tentacles. Another jellyfish known for its painful sting. 

Portuguese Man o' War (Physalia physalis): Technically not a jellyfish, however if its long venomous tentacles deliver a serious sting, you're unlikely to be too worried about technicalities. Its trailing tentacles are attached to a distinctive blue, balloon-like float. Keep pets and children away from them if spotted.