WestWales invaded by hordes of giant jellyfish
HORDES of huge jellyfish have been washing up on beaches across west Wales.
A number of the creatures – thought to be barrel jellyfish – have been spotted in areas including Tenby, Saundersfoot, Newport, Cardigan, Castlemartin, Lydstep and Kidwelly.
According to conservation trust Buglife, barrel jellyfish are among the largest in UK waters, with a diameter of up to 90cm and weighing up to 35kg.
In summer and autumn, they swarm off the coast, sometimes washing up in large numbers.
Luckily, they feed entirely on tiny plankton, so their sting is too weak to hurt humans.
A number have been spotted along the Pembrokeshire coast, many washing up just metres apart.
Members of the “I Live in Pembrokeshire and I Love it” Facebook group have been posting pictures of the jellyfish, with some describing them as “giants” and comparing them to “aliens”.
One user, Trudi Lisle, wrote: “They often wash up on Freshwater East. They are bigger than dinner plates!”
Joel Llewellyn said: “Plenty washed up in Pendine.”
Tanya Fenn said she counted around nine of the creatures on Newport Beach.
Leigh Mears, who also spotted a number of the jellyfish washed up in a line on Newport Beach, said: “Not sure I am going swimming in the sea after seeing dozens of these washed up on the beach.”