Giant jellyfish wash up on beaches in south west

A number of giant jellyfish have washed up on beaches in Devon, and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has warned that more may follow.

Rhizostoma pulmo, also known as giant barrel jellyfish, have washed up at Portland and Weymouth are considered harmless, but the MCS has asked anyone who discovers them on a beach to report their findings.

The species can grow up to one metre in diameter and weigh up to 35kg, with their surge in number in the waters off the south west attributed to the rising temperatures, as Richard Harrington from the Marine Conservation Society told ITV News:

“This predicted hot weather to come, can mean that even more jellyfish are likely to wash up or be in the seas around places like the west-country….This is an Atlantic species and are sometimes found washed up but still advise the public not to touch them.”