Jellyfish

The water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea is increasing 20 percent faster than other seas and oceans due to the effect of global warming, said an international environmental protection association, adding that alien species invaded the Mediterranean waters by entering through the Suez Canal.

With jellyfish numbers rising at alarming rates and dolphins suffering in Turkey's Bosphorus due to overfishing, experts are warning officials to take measures to check fishermen from exploiting the waters.

Turkey's Environment and Urbanization Ministry has presented a documentary that highlights how invasive species have entered and are endangering local species in the Black and Mediterranean Seas in an effort to raise awareness among the public.

Istanbul is witnessing a rise in the number of jellyfish on its shores, especially in the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Aegean Sea to the Marmara Sea, due to strong winds drawing ocean currents.

"There is a high concentration of jellyfish off Arnavutköy and Sarayburnu," said Melek İşinibilir Okyar, an academic from Istanbul University.

Local fish population has been declining in the Mediterranean Sea, while tropical species migrating from the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean have been on the rise, according to a Turkish marine scientist.

The migration continues rapidly, and global warming is one of the reasons triggering the migration movements, said Mehmet Gökoğlu from Akdeniz University.

A jellyfish robot, made by a group of scientists including Turkish scientist Professor Metin Sitti, has made a tremendous impact on the world of science. 

Highly venomous jellyfish have stung more than 3,000 people on Australia's northeastern shores in just a few days, authorities said Jan. 7, forcing the closure of several beaches.

Holidaymakers in the gulfs of Corinth and Patra may have to restrict their bathing to special areas surrounded by nets put in place to keep out jellyfish swarms that appeared in the area last summer and show no sign of leaving.

Jellyfish and other sea life were spotted inside a historic mosque in Istanbul after recent heavy rain caused flash flooding, Doğan News Agency reported on March 7.

The population of jellyfish in the Gulf of Corinth has risen significantly this year due to overfishing as well as changing sea currents, experts have warned.