CHAOS IN ADRIATIC SEA: They saw a DANGEROUS predator in the sea which DESTROYS everything on its path and no one knows how it get there (PHOTO) (VIDEO)

Foto: Wikimedia/Steven G. Johnson

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Marine predator-like jellyfish, which appeared in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea could ruin the Adriatic coast, our scientists are seriously concerned and they monitor the situation.

It is a kind of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the eighties destroyed numerous fish species in the Black Sea, because of the recent occurrence of this phenomenon in the Adriatic it will be accompanied with special care by experts, confirms Olja Vidjak at the Split Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries.

- Mnemiopsis leidyi not native species in the Adriatic Sea, but it is the northern Adriatic Sea, specifically in the Gulf of Trieste, it was recorded already in 2005, along with another type of Beroe ovata.

Foto: Wikimedia/Bastique

Considering that Mnemiopsis species is known for its high invasive potential, which in the eighties of the last century, after the accidental introduction with ballast waters of ships in the Black Sea, caused dramatic changes at all levels of the food chain web, and therefore in the fishing industry, it is understandable that the appearance of this type causes concerns - says Olja Vidjak.

Mnemiopsis feeds on only zoo plankton organisms, including fish and plankton (eggs and larvae) and its impact on fish stocks is possible if they really multiply.

This means that this predator does not endanger the fish, shellfish and other marine organisms, but what is more damaging, it is destroying their eggs and larvae.

It is certainly necessary to first assess the abundance of established populations and monitor its status in the Adriatic, says Olja Vidjak in order to eventually speak about the eventual impact on the ecosystem and the fishing.

Foto: Wikimedia/Bastique

- In indigenous areas where Mnemiopsis lives (east coast of North and South America), its population is effectively controlled by other types of rib, for example, Beroe ovata, which prevents the explosive growth of Mnemiopsis.

We must not forget that the devastating impact of Mnemiopsis in the Black Sea ecosystem that occurred primarily because of the poor condition of the existing environment, burdened by eutrophication (excessive intake of nutrients), pollution and overfishing of commercially important fish species, which were already in strained relations in the food chain web and the preconditions for opportunistic Mnemiopsis population explosion. In the Adriatic, fortunately, we don't have such pronounced environmental problems - says Olja Vidjak.

Since jellyfish tend to be unpleasant to people, everybody is interested whether this kind of species will have the same or similar effects in contact with people.

- There is no direct impact on the people only through these indirect impacts on the marine ecosystem in terms of changing relationships in the food web, and consequently on the economically important activities such as fishing. The organisms themselves are the size of a few centimeters, and show an interesting phenomenon of bioluminescence, creating their own light with oxidation process.

The emergence of a large number of gelatinous organisms (jellyfish, rib) in the northern Adriatic is common in late summer, and it is possible that the observed part of their life cycle is typical for this time of year. In any case, says an expert from Split, the state of Mnemiopsis population will continue to be monitored.

Unlike incandescent jellyfish that have cells with rib sticky cells or colloblaste with which catch prey, they do not endanger humans by touch.

(Telegraf.co.uk / SlobodnaDalmacija.hr)