Jellyfish invasion of Vembanad lake hampers fishing

Climate change, pollution can trigger marine species’ bloom: experts

Swarms of jellyfish have invaded the inland water bodies of Kochi, making life miserable for fishers. The presence of the marine species has been reported from many parts of Vembanad lake. The jellyfish, which is a passive swimmer, flows along with the current. They get entangled in the stake nets, making fishery impossible during the infestation period, complain fishers. It is during the peak summer months that jellyfishes moves from the sea to freshwater bodies. The animals usually settle down on the ocean floor and coral and rock structures. They also get attached to the sea walls and groynes that are laid in the sea for preventing sea erosion. As the salinity and temperature of the fresh water bodies increase during the peak summer months, they leave the ocean floors to the inland water bodies. It’s during March April period that the presence f the animals is recorded in Kochi, explained those at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.