Barrel jellyfish in what has been described as a ‘mega-swarm' have washed ashore on beaches in southern Wales. Hundreds of the large jellies – which can grow to 90cm or more in diameter and are a favourite food of leatherback turtles – washed up in New Quay, Ceredigion, and there were also sightings in Newport, Tenby and Saundersfoot.
Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre's Sarah Perry explained that the jellyfish do wash up on our shorelines every year, but that this time it was unusual due to the sheer number and size of the creatures. It is thought that the recent spate of warm weather kickstarted the massing of the jellyfish.
Perry advised members of the public not to touch the jellyfish or attempt to move them back into the water, saying that while they are relatively harmless to humans, they can leave people with a rash similar to that from a stinging nettle.