Study finds jellyfish swim with purpose

A new Israeli marine study has challenged the conventional wisdom that jellyfish are merely passive drifters, propelled solely by ocean currents and waves, the University of Haifa (UH) reported on Wednesday, said Xinhua.

Researchers at the UH have discovered that jellyfish possess a remarkable ability to navigate and swim in a specific direction. By tracking thousands of jellyfish in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the scientists identified clear directional swimming patterns that defy random movement.

Published in the journal Current Biology, the study reveals that jellyfish actively swim away from the coast and counter to the direction of surface gravity waves. This intentional movement, which occurs at a speed of approximately 10 centimeters per second, helps jellyfish distance themselves from the shore and increase their chances of survival.

While the exact swimming patterns may vary between different jellyfish species and marine environments, the study underscores the importance of active navigation in these often-overlooked creatures. In areas dominated by strong tidal currents, jellyfish may choose to swim against the current rather than the waves to avoid being washed ashore.

The researchers also emphasize that the final speed and direction of jellyfish movement are influenced by both their own swimming and the prevailing currents and waves. This means that many jellyfish ultimately end up on dry land and die, despite their efforts to navigate.

Understanding the swimming patterns of jellyfish could have significant implications for coastal facilities, such as power stations and desalination plants, which can be negatively impacted by jellyfish blooms. By anticipating the arrival of jellyfish, these facilities can take proactive measures to mitigate their effects.