Here it comes....

You may have heard about the invasive Australian spotted jellyfish, Phyllorhiza punctata, that have become abundant in the Gulf of Mexico in the last decade. The jellyfish are apparently taking advantage of dead zones in the Gulf and other environmental factors. The impact on the Gulf shrimping industry has already been significant, and promises to grow.

The problem is not limited to the Gulf. Recently, outbreaks of the nomura jellyfish, Nemopilema nomurai, in Japanese waters have become more frequent and more significant. The nomura is a much larger animal, reaching weights of over 400 pounds. It has also earned the honor of being the first jellyfish to sink a ship.