Cannibalistic jellyfish are invading the precious lagoons of Venice with no way of removing them

VENICE, Italy – An aquatic invasion is underway in Venice, Italy, where numerous cannibalistic jellyfish, known as comb jellies, are plaguing the city's lagoons.

Due to disruptions to the seawater environment and warming temperatures, these invasive species have thrived, threatening fisheries, ecosystems and disrupting swimmers.

Comb jellies have jelly-like bodies with bright-colored bands, which are made up of tiny hairs called combs, according to the Chesapeake Bay Program.

Unlike jellyfish, these animals do not have stinging tentacles, which can help swimmers feel much calmer as they enter the beautiful lagoons in Venice.

Surprisingly, the natural predator of this creature is itself, as comb jellies are cannibalistic, with the pink comb jelly as the usual culprit.

As summer temperatures rise in such lagoons across Italy, this gives the jellies a boost, allowing them to develop more quickly and increase populations further, creating a nuisance for swimmers.

These creatures can cause significant disruption to local fish populations by eating anchovies, sardines and sprats, leaving little behind and harming local fisheries.

The comb jelly can thrive in a wide range of water temperatures and reproduce quickly, creating an ongoing problem for fisheries and swimmers looking to enjoy time in the water this summer.

Warming temperatures and a lack of persistent natural predators have allowed this animal to thrive with no exact plan to stop its destructive ways.

"Eradication of this invader is almost impossible, given its widespread establishment," the U.S. Department of State said. "Focus has now moved to controlling the growth and success of the comb jelly in attempts to reverse the fisheries decline in the Black and Azov Seas."

Over time, control methods can help contain invasive species and, hopefully, discover ways to protect better underwater ecosystems that comb jellies affect so drastically.

Original article source: Cannibalistic jellyfish are invading the precious lagoons of Venice with no way of removing them

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