Purple Jellyfish Surge: Sightings and Treatment Tips

After two years, the purple jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) is reappearing in Greek seas. There have been 943 recorded sightings, with the most recent in Artaki, Evia. According to the inaturalist interactive map, they have been recorded in Western Halkidiki, the Ionian Sea, the Pagasetic Gulf, the Argosaronic Gulf, the Cyclades, and Evia.

Thanasis Evaggelopoulos, a Marine Ecology researcher at the Institute of Fisheries Research, stated that this is a natural phenomenon. A similar surge was recorded in the Mediterranean between 2020–2023.

In case of a sting, it is recommended to remove the tentacles, rinse with sea water, apply ice and cortisone cream, and take antihistamines. In severe cases, immediate medical attention is required.

The Hellenic Biodiversity Observatory calls on citizens to upload sightings to inaturalist.