THE SABAH Fisheries Department has reassured the public that the jellyfish washed ashore at Kampung Jangkit in Kuala Penyu, Kota Kinabalu were not harmful.
Its director Azhar Kasim said that type of jelly-fish species is known as “tomato jellyfish” or scientifically 'Lobonemoides robustus'.
While it is not venomous or dangerous, the species can cause itching when it comes into contact with skin.
“We have sent two officers from the local district office to the site to investigate the incident.
“The location spans around three kilometres along the coastline of Kampung Jangkit, which according to residents, is the first time such a large number of jellyfish have been washed ashore,” he said in a statement in Kota Kinabalu.
Azhar attributed the incident to a potential jellyfish bloom in the nearby sea likely due to the rise of water temperatures and the presence of food sources such as zooplankton, small crustaceans and fish larvae.
“The incident is also influenced by sudden tidal changes, causing jellyfish to be suddenly trapped and stranded on the beach,” he said.
He advised the public not to be overly concerned as these fragile jellyfish are prone to die and disintegrate, emitting only an unpleasant odour. They will disappear quickly within one to two days, he said.
A viral video of the stranding of the jellyfish sparked concerns among local communities due to the rarity of such incidents.
Sabah is currently experiencing an extended drought which was exacerbated by the El Nino phenomenon. – The Vibes, March 298, 2024
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