A large cluster of the jellyfish can destabilize the balance of the marine ecosystem and negatively impact the fishing industry. (image: brainware3000/flickr)
SEOUL, April 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on Thursday that it will launch a project this year to eradicate the polyps of Aurelia aurita, a species is destabilizing the marine ecosystem and interfering with the fishing industry.
The project will be implemented at the port of Jeongok in Gyeonggi Province, the port of Bieung in North Jeolla Province and the port of Donam in South Gyeongsang Province.
Aurelia aurita is a species of jellyfish that is often spotted in South Korea, featuring a transparent body with a diameter of about 15 centimeters.
Despite having a low toxicity, a large cluster of the jellyfish can destabilize the balance of the marine ecosystem and negatively impact the fishing industry.
With strong reproductive ability, even a single polyp of the jellyfish, which typically attach to rocks or reefs, can create as many as 5,000 offspring through self-division.
With this in mind, government authorities said that the removal of the polyps would be a very effective way to prevent the damage caused by the jellyfish.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
