BB FANS

Scotsman
Monday August 8, 04:29 AM


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LARGE numbers of leatherback turtles are expected to reach Scottish waters in the coming months following a surge in the marine reptiles' food supply of jellyfish.

Huge blooms of moon jellyfish have been seen around the Scottish coastline with tens of thousands more already washed up on the country's beaches.

Scientists are uncertain as to why this is occuring but some fear it is a sign of global warming as increasing temperatures produce more plankton for jellyfish to feed on.

The news has led to calls for people to record sightings of the leatherback turtles and comes just days after the first sighting off Shetland.

Although the huge reptiles, which can reach eight feet long, nest in Florida and Trinidad, they can withstand the cooler waters around Scotland.

Chris Rowe, marine biologist at Deep Sea World in South Queensferry, said the turtles would reach Scotland by following the Gulf Stream.

"I have already had reports that they have reached Wales. Most people associate these huge creatures as a tropical species and a lot of people go on holiday to see them. So for them to be wafting around Scotland is amazing.

"I have seen the most blooms of jellyfish in Scotland this year I have ever seen.

"It could be to do with the temperature, tide and current this year which could be a result of global warming, we just don't know for sure yet."

The leatherback is the largest living turtle and has a slightly flexible "rubbery" shell.

The core body temperature of adults in cold water has been shown to be several degrees centigrade above the surrounding water, which allows leatherbacks to prosper in ocean regions where other marine reptiles can not.

Gwyn Evans, a Forth Coastguard watch officer, said: "There have been an awful lot of jellyfish this year, Port Edgar is full of them." Philip Wright, a volunteer for the Marine Conservation Society, said: "There are about 30,000 jellyfish along one [Wick] beach alone, they have produced a solid mass and it is impossible for people to enter the water."

Peter Richardson, species policy officer for the Marine Conservation Society, last night urged people to report sightings of leatherback turtles to his organisation.

wowwww!!! I love turtles!

We saw the biggest jellyfish while visiting family. We were down on a beach on a hot say and it was this pink tropical one like in Finding Nemo - never ever seen one so big.

Jezi dear, you know turtles dont really sound like Australian surf dudes?

And for the love of your feet, please dont try and bounce from jellyfish to jellyfish: Disney isnt always right...

Amaunet, believe it or not I'm not a TOTAL muppet!

Actually, they did a few features on turtles when I used to watch The Really Wild Show and I loved seeing them.

oh, The Really Wild Show. Michaela Strachan, drool, drool

Oh I know, but its so much fun winding you up

So cruel Just because I'm more easily wound up than a wind up toy. The sad thing is, I never ever think 'oh they probably know I'm easily wound up'

Aw, dont start Jezi: you'll put me on a guilt trip and I will end up baking cookies for you or something..

If you know which buttons to push then I can be pretty wound up, and certain friends take satisfaction in doing just that. Grrr.

To drag this back to the topic, I bet anyone who has seen 'Friends' would know just what to do if they were stung by a jellyfish....

don't watch friends, but think you're supposed to pee on the sting aren't you?

Yes.

Youre a genius.

thankyou

@looks around for the sarcastic icon@

The moon jellyfish can grow to enormous sizes in the Far East. We used to have trouble with them on the island of Penang...........in the area where all the posh beach resorts are now located.


The usual indications that someone had been stung was the victim running on the surface of the water, screaming their lungs out. It made excelent entertainment when we were sitting in the bar, testing the local beer

Always want to touch jellyfish, they just look kind of inviting Can't say I have though!

Jim that is cruel!

I have to confess to wondering what they look like;' theyre strangely pretty. But I'd rather save my once-in-a-lifetime-experience for swimming with sharks.